Exploration of SU(3) Symmetry of Baryon Regge Residues

The SU(3) symmetry of baryon Regge poles is explored by comparing the angular distributions of backward meson-baryon reactions whose Regge exchanges should be SU(3)-related. Several indications of the symmetry are found. In particular, it is discovered that one can generate the observed highly structured angular distribution for ${\pi }^{+}p\to p{\pi }^{+}$ from the featureless one for $K^{+}p\to p{K}^{+}$ simply by assuming SU(3) symmetry and taking singlet-octet exchange degeneracy in $K^{+}p$ scattering into account. Using the symmetry, evidence that exchange degeneracy between the Reggeized ${\mathrm{½}}^{+}$ and ${\frac{3}{2}}^{-}$ octets is broken is found. Relevant experiments are suggested.