Plant Diseases
Wheat Diseases in Arkansas
Stem Rust
Stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f sp. tritici, usually can be found
each year in Arkansas, but it rarely causes serious damage. During recent years,
the greatest severity has occurred in southwest Arkansas. Stem rust is favored
by warmer temperatures than either stripe or leaf rusts. Symptoms usually first
appear on stems and leaf sheaths at soft dough stage as large, brick red
pustules that burst though the leaf surface.
Varieties highly resistant to stem rust are available, but the disease is so
sporadic that stem rust resistance should not be a high priority. Avoiding very
susceptible varieties should be sufficient in Most cases. This disease develops
too late for foliar fungicides to be feasible.
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