Brown rust

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Puccinia recondita syn. P. triticina

Known as leaf rust in North America, this disease is common in Europe and can cause significant yield loss.

It principally affects wheat and rye.

[edit] Symptoms

Small brown pustules develop on the leaf blades in a random scatter distribution. They may group into patches in serious cases. Infectious spores are transmitted via the soil. Onset of the disease is slow but accelerated in temperatures above 15°C, making it a disease of the mature cereal plant in summer, usually too late to cause significant damage in temperate areas. Losses of between 5 and 20% are normal but may reach 50% in severe cases.

[edit] Control

Varietal resistance is important. Chemical control with triazole fungicides may be useful for control of infections up to ear emergence but is difficult to justify economically in attacks after this stage.