Rust is a fungal turfgrass disease that affects grasses growing under stressful environmental conditions. Rust can appear as yellow to reddish-brown in colour on affected turf, giving the disease its name.
What are the symptoms of rust disease?
Symptoms of rust disease include:
Early symptoms of Rust diseases appear as light-yellow flecks on leaves or stems.
The flecks enlarge, elongate, and turn yellow in colour.
The yellowed area of the infected spots enlarge and elongate parallel to the leaf or stem axis as the infection matures.
The leaf blade turns yellow starting at the tip and progressing to the base.
A severe infection can cause the shoot to turn yellowish to reddish-brown and slow down growth.
Rust is caused by Puccinnia & Uromyces fungal species. When grass is affected by rust, the infected areas rise above the epidermis and then rupture, releasing spores that are yellowish-orange to reddish-brown in colour.
What Turfgrasses are particularly susceptible to rust?Â
All cool season turfgrass species.
When does rust occur?
The conditions particularly favourable to rust include:
Early spring through mid-summer.
Rusts favour moist, low-light areas.
Leaf wetness is required for fungal growth.
Depending on the species, rusts favour temperatures between 18°C and 30°C.
Severe Rust infections occur on slow-growing turfgrass particularly those with low nitrogen levels and/or plant water stress.
What can I do to manage or control rust disease?
Turf management practices that can help control or reduce instances of rust disease include:
Convert to a turfgrass seed blend that is resistant to rust diseases found in the area.
Apply adequate levels of nitrogen and other nutrients.
Remove clippings from turf.Â
Reduce shade and improve air circulation.Â
Regulate irrigation to minimise the amount of time moisture remains on the leaf surface.Â
Water deeply and infrequently
For chemical solutions and treatments for rust disease, please see the recommended products below.
Exteris Stressgard Fungicide provides outstanding broad-spectrum disease control, turf quality and application flexibility. Contains a unique SDHI active ingredient as well as new Leaf-Cote technology to improve spray droplet coverage and retention, as well as reduce dry time on the leaf.
Dedicate FORTE Stressgard® is a broad-spectrum DMI fungicide containing tebuconazole (240 g/L) with Stressgard Formulation Technology, and controls tough soil-borne and foliar fungal diseases in both cool and warm season turfgrass.
Interface with Stressgard Formulation Technology offers the new standard in turf protection and is Bayer’s most powerful turf fungicide to-date. It manages disease stress leading to improved turf quality and playability.
Azoxy 250 T&O Fungicide (active constituent Azoxystrobin) is an effective xylem systemic fungicide that delivers excellent protection for up to 28 days against a wide spectrum of Turf, Nursery Stock and Ornamental diseases.
Chloronil Pro Fungicide is a broad spectrum, contact or protectant fungicide for the control of a range of diseases fruit, vegetables and turf. It is registered for the control of Brown Patch, Dollar Spot and Grey Leaf Spot in all recreational turf situations. It is also registered for the control of Botrytis, Grey Mould, Rust and Septoria and Alternaria Leaf Blight for application on ornamental plants.
Edict Duo is a broad spectrum fungicide containing the active ingredients Trifloxystrobin (100g/L) and Tebuconazole (200g/L). It is registered for the control of Anthracnose, Brown Patch, Winter Fusarium, Helminthosporium diseases (including White Helmo), Leptosphaerulina, Curvularia, Dollar Spot and ERI (Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi) diseases.
Edict Disease Control is fungicide for use on Lawns, Azaleas, Roses, other general ornamental gardenplants. Edict Disease Control provides systemic andcontact disease control, both on a preventative andcurative basis. Edict controls Anthracnose, Brown Patch, Winter Fusarium, Leptosphaerulina (Leaf Blight), Curvularia (Fading Out) and Dollar Spot in lawn situations. Edict also controls azalea petal blight, myrtle rust, Botrytis Blight, Leaf Spots as well as mildew.
