Rust

Puccinia asparagi

What is Rust (Puccinia asparagi)?

Asparagus rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia asparagi, is a global fungal disease that affects asparagus plants. It appears as orange-yellow to brownish rust pustules on the stems and foliage, resulting in defoliation, stunted growth, and decreased spear production. Although primarily impacting cultivated asparagus species, it can also affect wild or ornamental varieties.

How does Rust (Puccinia asparagi) occur?

Asparagus rust (Puccinia asparagi) spreads when spores from infected plants or debris are carried to healthy asparagus plants. In favorable conditions of high humidity, moderate temperatures, and rainfall, the spores germinate and infect the plants. They develop into orange-yellow to brownish rust pustules, causing the characteristic symptoms of asparagus rust. The disease spreads further through spore production and dispersal, continuing the cycle and affecting more plants.

Symptoms

2 - Yield Loss

This fungal disease is responsible for significant losses in asparagus crops worldwide, posing challenges for asparagus growers and threatening the productivity of asparagus plants.

5 - Impact on Plant

Severe infections of Puccinia asparagi can weaken the plants, leading to reduced vigor and overall plant health. This may indirectly affect the soil by reducing the amount of organic matter and root exudates contributed by the plants.

Solutions

1 - Resistant varieties

Consider planting varieties that have demonstrated resistance to Puccinia asparagi. These varieties can be less susceptible to the disease and may require fewer interventions for control.

2 - Crop Rotation

Rotate crops with non-host plants, such as grains or legumes, to break the disease cycle and reduce the buildup of rust spores in the soil.

3 - Proper spacing and Sanitation

Ensure adequate spacing between plants to promote good air circulation and reduce humidity levels. Remove and destroy any infected plant debris, including infected ferns or spears, to minimize the potential sources of spores for future infections.

4 - Water Management

Avoid overhead irrigation whenever possible, as it can promote leaf wetness and create favorable conditions for rust development. Instead, use drip irrigation or water at the base of the plants.

5 - Fungicide Application

Various fungicides, including triazoles (tebuconazole, propiconazole), strobilurins (azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin), copper-based fungicides, and mancozeb, are available for controlling Puccinia asparagi. Check local regulations and consult with agricultural experts for suitable options in your area. Follow the instructions and restrictions provided on the product labels.

6 - Organic methods

In organically certified crops, cultural control practices and sulfur dust treatments are acceptable for managing asparagus rust.

Susceptible Species

Golden Korean Fir

River Birch

River Birch (clump)

Summer Cascade Weeping River Birch

California Incense Cedar

Leprechaun Green Ash

Patmore Green Ash

Blue Star Juniper

Black Gum

acaena

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

yarrow

bugbane

bugbane

bugbane

bugbane

bugbane

floss flower

floss flower

tree of Heaven

hollyhock

hollyhock

hollyhock

leek

onion

scallion

chives

chives

serviceberry

serviceberry

snapdragon

common bearberry

common bearberry

common bearberry

bearberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

western mugwort

wild ginger

Sprenger's asparagus fern

asparagus fern

asparagus fern

asparagus

asparagus

asparagus

asparagus

Ming fern

asparagus fern

lady fern

lady fern

lady fern

lady fern

lady fern

tatting fern

lady fern

lady fern

northern lady fern

northern lady fern

lady fern

lady fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

Japanese painted fern

European white birch

silver birch

deer fern

false aster

false aster

false chamomile

false aster

marsh marigold

nettle-leaved bellflower

leatherleaf sedge

sedge

sedge

blue green sedge

blue sedge

knapweed

golden-bell clematis

golden-bell clematis

large-flowered tickseed

tickseed

tickseed

tickseed

tickseed

tickseed

Harry Lauder's walking stick

smoketree

smoketree

smoketree

cotoneaster

rock cotoneaster

rock cotoneaster

rock cotoneaster

small-leaved cotoneaster

black hawthorn

Washington hawthorn

quince

delphinium

candle larkspur

candle larkspur

candle larkspur

cheddar pink

cheddar pink

wood fern

Japanese shield fern

wallflower

Joe Pye weed

tall fescue

tall fescue

tall fescue

tall fescue

tall fescue

tall fescue

fescue

meadowsweet

European ash

European ash

European ash

flowering ash

crown imperial

sweetscented bedstraw

imperial honey locust

imperial honey locust

imperial honey locust

honey locust

blue oat grass

coral bells

rose of Sharon

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea

silver ragwort

Hollywood juniper

common juniper

common juniper

common juniper

common juniper

common juniper

common juniper

common juniper

common juniper

Japanese garden juniper

savin juniper

singleseed juniper

singleseed juniper

singleseed juniper

singleseed juniper

red cedar

European larch

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

English lavender

Spanish lavender

creeping Jenny

creeping Jenny

creeping Jenny

Japanese crabapple

woodland forget-me-not

forget-me-not

royal fern

royal fern

royal fern

royal fern

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

pearl millet

oriental fountain grass

fountain grass

crimson fountaingrass

beardtongue

beardtongue

beardtongue

beardtongue

beardtongue

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

garden phlox

white spruce

Japanese red pine

Japanese red pine

Japanese red pine

Japanese red pine

Japanese red pine

Japanese red pine

Bosnian pine

mugo pine

dwarf mountain pine

mugo pine

mugo pine

dwarf mountain pine

dwarf mountain pine

dwarf mountain pine

dwarf mountain pine

Japanese black pine

Japanese black pine

Japanese black pine

Japanese black pine

Japanese black pine

white poplar

eastern cottonwood

black poplar

American aspen

rose moss

Douglas fir

common pear

white oak

scarlet oak

pin oak

pin oak

willow oak

English oak

English oak

English oak

red oak

creeping buttercup

creeping buttercup

smooth sumac

Alpine currant

hybrid musk rose

shrub rose

raspberry

orange coneflower

black-eyed Susan

red-veined dock

weeping willow

dragon's claw willow

common sage

common sage

scarlet sage

house leek

rough goldenrod

lamb's ear

white woodland aster

calico aster

michaelmas daisy

michaelmas daisy

michaelmas daisy

michaelmas daisy

michaelmas daisy

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock

western hemlock

David viburnum

Common Wild Rose

Red-Flowering Currant

Redwood Sorrel

yarrow cultivars

variegated bulbous oat grass

Frikart aster

William Penn barberry

canna

garden mum

alpine clematis

pink anemone clematis

spider flower

Lavalle hawthorn

common hawthorn

elaeagnus

Idaho fescue

cascara

blanket flower

sunflower

coral bells

hardy hibiscus

creeping juniper

lantana

greater woodrush

charity mahonia

Oregon grape

false lily-of-the valley

European crabapple

peppermint

bee balm

narrow feather grass

blackstem bamboo

dwarf eastern white pine

primula

Garry oak

Hino Crimson azalea

Nootka rose

Mexican petunia

hens and chicks

checkerbloom

goldenrod

meadow rue

piggyback plant

wheat

Thunderbird evergreen huckleberry

Japanese pepper

Asparagus Fern

Bridal Creeper

Emerald Asparagus Fern

Asparagus

Cluster-leaf Asparagus

Garden Asparagus

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus Fern