Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Crown Rust

Close up & Crown rust of oats (Photo G. Bubb)

Pathogen

Fungus

Hosts

Oats, grasses especially perennial rye-grass.

Symptoms

First signs are small rounded orange-yellow coloured pustules, usually on both sides of the leaves. Later the pustules join together to form evenly affected areas. Small black pustules are produced late in the season.

Development

Infection comes from windborne spores arising from volunteer host plants.

Favourable factors

20 °C temperature with high humidity favours the disease.

Importance

Crown rust is host specific to oats (and some grasses). Because of the need for great warmth the disease occurs only shortly before harvest but it can cause large reduction in yield and quality.

Control

  • Removal of volunteers

  • Use of an effective fungicide programme

Close up