Oat crown (leaf) rust found in wild oats along roadsides in the south
- Munglinup
- Coomalbidgup
- Dalyup
- Scaddan
- Jenabillup
Plant pathologist Andrea Hills (DPIRD) has reported finding oat crown (leaf) rust in wild oats on the roadside from Scaddan to Munglinup. The rust was found mainly on older plants at the booting growth stage. Andrea submitted leaf rust samples to the University of Sydney Cereal Rust Survey.
These rust sightings suggest that conditions are conducive and oat crops in the south coastal region, and possibly the central region, now need to be monitored for leaf rust.
Oat leaf rust is also known as crown rust. The word 'crown' refers to the shape of a type of spore produced by this fungus and is not related to the disease symptoms.
The characteristic symptom is the development of round to oblong orange pustules primarily on leaves and leaf sheaths. The powdery spore masses in the pustules are readily dislodged and can be spread over long distances by wind. The pustule areas turn black with age.
Oat leaf rust is potentially a very damaging disease, reducing both grain and forage yield and quality.
The fungus is carried over on volunteer oats and wild oats from season to season.
Foliar fungicide registrations exist for control of this disease, refer to the department’s Registered foliar fungicides for cereals in Western Australia page.
It is important that samples of all rusts are sent for pathotype testing. Infected leaf samples should be mailed in paper envelopes (do not use plastic wrapping or plastic lined packages) along with your details and collection information (location, variety etcetera) directly to the Australian Cereal Rust Survey, Plant Breeding Institute, Private Bag 4011, Narellan NSW 2567. Free reply paid envelopes can be ordered from the University of Sydney. For further details see the University of Sydney's Cereal Rust website.
For more information on oat leaf rust refer to the department’s Oats: leaf diseases webpage.
For more information on oat foliar diseases contact Plant pathologists Kylie Chambers, Northam on +61 (0)8 9690 2151 or Geoff Thomas, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3262 or Andrea Hills, Esperance on +61 (0)8 9083 1144.
Article author: Cindy Webster (DPIRD Narrogin).
Article input: Geoff Thomas (DPIRD South Perth) and Andrea Hills (DPIRD Esperance).