Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5061 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Rudy Yates

Regional Extension Agent/Agronomic Crops

March 15, 2011

Leaf Rust in Wheat

Leaf rust is one of the most common rust diseases in our area and can reduce yields significantly.  It can appear on wheat any time during the growing season, but it usually shows up this time of the year.  Our recent weather conditions have been favorable for the development of the disease.  There have been reports of leaf rust on wheat in Texas.

Initial infection by leaf rust generally occurs on the lower wheat leaves in the form of small, oval pustules that are yellow to orange in color.  These pustules contain masses of powdery, orange to red-orange spores that are spread by wind.  Leaf rust will spread to upper leaves of the plant under favorable conditions: frequent showers and heavy dews coupled with warm temperatures ranging from 60 degree to 80 degree Fahrenheit. 

Severe leaf rust infection will turn entire leaves a rust color.   Wheat fields with severe leaf rust infection will have a yellow cast to them.  It is important to scout wheat because other pests and problems may cause fields to have a yellow cast.

Fungicides are available for control of leaf rust on wheat.  Current fungicide recommendations for leaf rust control are listed in our 2011 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Guide for Small Grains.  A copy of our IPM guide can be obtained by contacting the Baldwin County Extension Office.  The guide is also on the following website: www.aces.edu/anr/crops

Leaf rust is just one of many pests that affect wheat.  Farmers must be diligent in scouting to protect their wheat crop from leaf rust and other pests such as powdery mildew, glume blotch and aphids, to name a few.  One wheat disease that I have heard about but have not seen in the field is stripe rust.  Stripe rust was recently reported in low incidences in Louisiana.  I hope this disease does not show up in our area.  If our office can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Email address: yatesrp@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5061, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.