Leaf rusts come in many shapes and strains and can be particularly hard to avoid, as the pathogen blows in from parts unknown (well, we know where, but that turn of phrase sounds better).
What’s perhaps more troubling is there is evidence that stripe rust may have over-wintered in parts of Alberta this year. Over-wintering can mean earlier infection and more severe losses if conditions are favourable to disease development.
In this episode of the Wheat School, Dr. Denis Gaudet of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, based at Lethbridge, Alta., explains the symptoms of stripe rust, the best form of defense and why this form of rust can be so damaging. Gaudet also discusses the discovery of over-wintered stripe rust in the Olds area and what this may mean for the year ahead.
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