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Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

Yam rusts (097)

Photo 1. Yam rust, Goplana dioscoreae, (upper leaf surface).

Photo 2. Yam rust, Goplana australis (underside of leaf).

Photo 3. Yam rust of undetermined species from Papua New Guinea, showing typical rust symptoms on upper and lower leaf surfaces.

Photo 4. General view of yam rust of undetermined species, Papua New Guinea.

Summary

Narrow distribution. Southeast Asia, Oceania. Only on yams. There are two types which are very similar. Minor diseases.
The two diseases occur late, and are unlikely to affect tuber yields.
Yellow to light orange pustules on leaves and, for one rust, sometimes on leaf stalks and stems.
Biosecurity: Transfers of yams between countries should be made as plants in tissue culture, preferably tested for viruses. A rust outbreak in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (2000/2001), may mean severe strains exist.
Cultural control: none recommended for these diseases.
Chemical control: none recommended for these diseases.

Common Name

Yam rusts

Scientific Name

Goplana dioscorea and Goplana australis

AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson
Photo 1&2 Kohler F, Pellegrin F, Jackson G, McKenzie E (1997) Diseases of cultivated crops in Pacific Island countries. South Pacific Commission. Pirie Printers Pty Limited, Canberra, Australia.

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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