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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Cereal Disease Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227388

Title: Wheat Rusts in the United States in 2007

Author
item Long, David
item Kolmer, James
item Jin, Yue
item Hughes, Mark
item Wanschura, Lucille

Submitted to: Wheat Newsletter
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/9/2008
Publication Date: 8/1/2008
Citation: Long, D.L., Kolmer, J.A., Jin, Y., Hughes, M.E., Wanschura, L.A. 2008. Wheat Rusts in the United States in 2007. Wheat Newsletter. 54:182-192.

Interpretive Summary: Wheat is attacked by three rust diseases: stem rust is caused by Puccinia graminis; leaf rust is caused by Puccinia triticina; and stripe rust is caused by Puccinia striiformis. In 2007 wheat stem rust was found at scattered locations in the U.S. in reseach plots of wheat that are susceptible to stem rust. Only biological forms of stem rust were found in the U.S. in 2007. Wheat leaf rust was widespread throughout the wheat growing regions in 2007, causing millions of dollars in yield loss in wheat. Over 50 different biologic forms of leaf rust were found in 2007. Wheat stripe rust occurred in scattered locations throughout the eastern U.S. and Great Plains region, and was most severe in the Pacific Northwest region.

Technical Abstract: In 2007 90% of wheat stem rust races were QFC and 10% were RCRS Both races are relatively avirulent to wheat cultiars grown in the U.S. Wheat stem rust occurred in scattered locations on research plots of susceptible wheat cultivars in 2007, and did not cause yield loss. Wheat leaf rust was widespread severe in wheat fields throughout the U.S. in 2007 with record losses in of 14% in Kansas. Fifty two races of leaf rust were identified in 2007. Races with virulence to Lr24, and Lr41 have increased due to wheat cultivars with these genes. Wheat stripe rust occurred in scattered locations throughout the eastern U.S. and Great Plains region, and was most severe in the Pacific Northwest region.