Agricultural News
Early Reports of Leaf and Stripe Rust in Oklahoma and Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2015 18:30:23 CST
Reports of leaf rust and stripe rust are starting to emerge in central to southern Oklahoma, along with reports across Texas. Oklahoma State University Extension Wheat Pathologist Bob Hunger said he is starting to compile the reports in releasing an Oklahoma Disease Advisory report. John Fenderson of Monsanto has reported there was lots of stripe rust and some leaf rust along Highway 70 going west to Frederick and in a few places he saw the ground colored orange from stripe rust spores indicating a stripe rust "hot spot."
In these fields with many hot spots, Hunger said using an application of a fungicide to control the stripe rust should be considered. In addition to helping to control the stripe rust, there could be the benefit of also limiting leaf rust, powdery mildew and possibly tan spot/septoria.
Around Stillwater, Hunger has not seen much change in the last two weeks. He has not confirmed any stripe rust, but have seen leaf rust. With the mostly quite cold with only slight moisture, stripe rust may also be starting. Hunger said he will wait for warmer temperatures to reevaluate fields.
Texas A & M University Small Grains Breeding and Genetics specialist Dr. Amir Ibrahim has found leaf rust in their trials at College Station in Brazos County and stripe rust has been found in their plots in Ellis County. He said leaf rust is easy to find, but severity is very low in Potter County in the Texas High Plains and Hardeman County in the Texas Rolling Plains. There are unconfirmed reports also indicate the spread of stripe rust in McCulloch County in the heart of the state. Reports also indicated that the variety 'Redhawk' was especially susceptible there and that some producers are already applying fungicides. Both leaf and stripe rusts are also present in Wharton County in South Texas.
"If conditions continue to prevail, we can have significant leaf and stripe rust levels compared to last year, in my opinion," Ibrahim said.
Leaf rust had been reported in Texas in fall 2014 as far north as Hansford County in the Texas Panhandle, bordering the Oklahoma Panhandle and throughout northwest Texas, especially the Texas Panhandle. In early winter 2015, leaf rust was still found around the Amarillo area. Texas A & M Extension Plant Pathologist Dr. Ron French said cold temperatures could kill the inoculum. In some fields near Amarillo, he was unable to find any leaf rust. He said that does not mean it is not present, but that it is present at trace levels.
Stripe rust has been found as far west as Tom Green County, where the city of San Angelo is located. French said stripe rust was first observed at the very end of January and beginning of February. Stripe rust levels were significant in lower leaves only and the ground was covered in orange spores.
For a full indepth copy of this OSU update with pictures, click here.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
