Brown rust of sugarcane

Puccinia melanocephala

The initial symptoms of sugarcane common rust are elongate yellowish leaf spots, 1-4 mm long. On susceptible plants, the spots increase in size with a reddish-brown change in colour. As uredinia formation occurs, the leaf epidermis ruptures giving rise to typical rust pustules. Uredinia form primarily on the lower leaf surface and erupt, releasing masses of orange to orange-brown urediniospores. The elongate pustules are parallel to the leaf venation and measure 2-20 mm by 1-4 mm. Multiple pustules on leaves give a reddish appearance to plants from a distance. Pustules coalesce causing large areas of necrotic leaf tissue usually on the lower leaves.

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