|
Causal organism - Puccinia triticina
 |
 |
 |
 |
The fungus overwinters primarily on volunteers and early drilled crops. The disease is rarely seen in the spring as temperatures of between 15 and 22°C, accompanied by 100% relative humidity, are needed for sporulation and spore germination. Consequently brown rust epidemics tend to occur during mid to late summer in the UK. Dry windy days which disperse spores and cool nights with dew favour the build-up of the disease.
Importance
In the UK, brown rust is commonly found in wheat crops in May/June. Occasionally severe attacks occur on susceptible varieties, particularly when summers are warm with cool nights. The severity of epidemics tends to be linked to varietal susceptibility.
