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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines


Rust damage to bluegrass foliage.

Turfgrass

Rust

Pathogens: Puccinia striiformis, P. graminis, P. coronata, and Uromyces spp.

(Reviewed 6/03, updated 6/03)

In this Guideline:


DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE
Rust begins as small yellow spots on leaves and stems that form elongated, reddish brown or orange pustules. Shoes and clothes are often stained orange by the spores when walking through infested areas. Rust kills leaves and debilitates plants when it is severe. The turfgrass quality is reduced because of poor color and reduced plant vigor. Rust survives as dormant mycelia in infected plants and as teliospores; it may spread to turf from infections on other grasses and woody ornamentals.

SUSCEPTIBLE TURFGRASSES
Bluegrasses, ryegrasses, zoysiagrass, and tall fescue.

CONDITIONS FAVORING DISEASE
Moderately warm, moist weather favors rust development. Moisture in the form of dew for 10 to 12 hours is sufficient for the spores to infect plants. Warm air temperatures (70° to 75°F) and extended periods of leaf wetness favor the development of the disease. The disease is more severe in turf deficient in nitrogen.

MANAGEMENT
Rust can usually be managed with proper mowing, fertilizing, and irrigation practices.

Cultural Control
To reduce the incidence of rust, maintain turfgrass vigor by applying adequate but not excessive nitrogen fertilization and irrigate in the morning according to the evapotranspiration needs of the turfgrass. Provide good air movement on surface of grass. Mow the turfgrass regularly and remove clippings if the lawn is infected to reduce the number of spores. Mixtures of several compatible turfgrass species fare better against rust than turfgrass composed of a single species. Most Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue varieties currently marketed in California are fairly resistant to rust.

Treatment Decisions
Rust can usually be managed successfully through cultural practices, but in severe cases fungicide applications can be made.

Common name Chemical class

Many of these products are available for use by licensed applicators only and cannot be used by home gardeners.

A. AZOXYSTROBIN QoI (strobilurins)
     
B. CHLOROTHALONIL Chlorophenyl (multi-site)
     
C. MANCOZEB EDBC (multi-site)
     
D. MYCLOBUTANIL DMI
     
E. PROPICONAZOLE DMI
     
F. THIOPHANATE-METHYL Benzimidazole
     
G. TRIADIMEFON DMI
     
H. TRIFLOXYSTROBIN QoI (strobilurins)

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Turfgrass
UC ANR Publication 3365-T
Diseases
F. Wong, Plant Pathology, UC Riverside
M. A. Harivandi, UC Cooperative Extension, Alameda Co.
J. Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension, San Bernardino Co.
Acknowledgment for contributions to the disease section:
M. E. Grebus, Plant Pathology, UC Davis

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2005 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r785101611.html revised: May 20, 2005. Contact webmaster.