Stripe rust appears to be on the move in southern and central Alberta winter wheat fields.
Michael Harding, plant pathologist with Alberta Agriculture, said April 28 that the fungal disease has been found in the counties of Cardston, Lethbridge, Warner and Mountain View, and in the Municipal District of Taber.
Field scouting is recommended, particularly in winter wheat varieties with no resistance to stripe rust.
Stripe rust spores can travel easily on the wind, and the disease is favoured by cool, moist weather in the 5 to 10 C range.
It is easily identified in a crop by yellow stripes on leaves parallel to the veins.
Harding speculated that the disease overwintered in southern and central Alberta because it is appearing on lower leaves rather than new growth.
