Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides

Fig rust (307)


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Summary

  • Widespread distribution. On figs (Ficus species), but also breadfruit. When severe, causes defoliation and young fruit fail to ripen.
  • Yellow spots on top of leaves, raised pustules below, reddish-brown, circular, 0.5 mm diamter. Spots may merge, and leaves may fall. Sometimes spots on fruit.
  • Spread by spore splash from one leaf to another, or between plants; over long distances, by wind. 
  • Cultural control: prune to improve air movement, and drying of leaves; avoid overhead irrigation; avoid planting under shade; weed; avoid areas that flood or where there is free-standing water; provide adeqate nutrition; test varieties (e.g., breadfruit).
  • Chemical control: use copper or mancozeb.

Common Name

Fig rust

Scientific Name

Cerotelium fici; previously known as Kuehneola fici, and Uredo fici.


AUTHORS Grahame Jackson & Eric McKenzie
Information from Verga A, Nelson S (2014) Fig rust in Hawai'i. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Honolulu. (https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/PD-100.pdf). Photos 1-4 (taken by Eric McKenzie), and used in this fact sheet, appeared previously in McKenzie E (2013) Cerotelium fici PaDIL(http://www.padil.gov.au).

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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