Worldwide distribution. On peanuts, and other plants belonging to the genus Arachis. An important disease.
Rust infects all parts of peanuts above ground: the red-brown spots produce masses of spores. Losses in pod yields of 40%.
Spores spread in wind; infection needs water on plant surfaces, and high humidity.
Cultural control: avoid planting next to old crops; leave at least 4 weeks between crops – rusts do not survive in plant debris or the soil; remove “volunteers”; inspect twice weekly; tolerant varieties.
Chemical control: begin to spray as soon as spots are seen and no later than 30-35 days; use chlorothalonil (also effective against leaf spots) at 10-14 days until 14 days before harvest.
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.
