Spinach

White Rust

Howard F. Schwartz and David H. Gent

Identification and Life Cycle

White rust is caused by the fungus-like organism Albugo occidentalis.  This pathogen is more closely related to downy mildew-type pathogens than the true rust pathogens.  The source of the white rust pathogen that initiates epidemics is not known, but the pathogen is known to survive in infested crop debris as dormant resting structures (oospores) and, in milder climates, as mycelia and sporangia.  Oospores are thought to disseminated by splashing rain and irrigation water, and possibly by blowing soil.  In warmer climates, sporangia produced on weeds can be deposited onto spinach by wind, whereupon they germinate and produce a mobile spore called a zoospore.  Zoospores penetrate plants through natural openings, eventually germinate, and form mycelia in spinach tissues.  Disease is favored by cool to moderate temperatures (50 to 68ºC) and abundant rainfall.

           

Diseased spinach plants produce windblown sporangia that serve as secondary inoculum, infecting other plants and beginning the disease cycle again.  Oospores eventually form in diseased tissue and overwinter in infested crop debris and the soil. 

Plant Response and Damage

White rust symptoms initially appear as white, blister-like pustules on the lower surface of leaves.  Opposite these pustules on the upper surface of the leaf may be a yellowish spot.  The disease can reduce spinach yield, quality, and marketability.

Management Approaches

Biological Control

No biological control strategies have been developed for white rust of spinach.

Cultural Control

Practice a three-year or longer crop rotation to nonhosts with strict sanitation of weeds and volunteer spinach.

Chemical Control

Chemical control strategies are most effective when integrated with sound cultural practices.   

 

Product List for White Rust:

 

Pesticide

Product per Acre

Application Frequency (days)

Remarks

Acibenzolar

Actigard 50WG

0.5-0.75 oz

7-10 days

Maximum of 3 applications or 2.25 ounces per season; Do not apply to plants under stress or young seedlings; 7 day PHI

Copper Fungicides—not all formulations available are listed

Champ DP

1.33-2.66 lb

7-10 days

Can cause leaf flecking

Copper-Count-N

3 pt

7-10 days

Can cause leaf flecking

Cuprofix Disperss

2.5-4 lb

7-10 days

Can cause leaf flecking

Kocide 2000

1.5-2.25 lb

7-10 days

Can cause leaf flecking

Kocide 3000

0.75-1.25 lb

7-10 days

Can cause leaf flecking

Nordox

2-3 lb

7-10 days

Can cause leaf flecking

Nu-Cop 3L

1.33-2.66 pt

7-10 days

Can cause leaf flecking

Tri-Basic Copper

4 pt

 7-10 days

 1 day PHI

Fosetyl-Al

Aliette 80

2-5 lb

7-21 days

Maximum of 7 applications; 3 day PHI

Mefoxonam

Ultra Flourish

8 oz-4 pts

Pre-plant incorporated drench or 7” soil band

2 layby applications can be shanked in; 21 day PHI

Ridomil Gold EC

1-2 pt

Pre-plant incorporated soil drench or soil band (a 7” band is recommended)

 

Ridomil Gold GR

20-40 lb

Pre-plant incorporated soil drench or soil band (a 7” band is recommended)

 

Ridomil Gold/Copper

1 pack/2 acres

14 days

Maximum of 2 applications; 21 day PHI

Neem

Trilogy

2 pt

7-14 days

Maximum of 2 gallons per season; 0 day PHI

Potassium Bicarbonate

Armicarb 100

2.5-5 lb

5-14 days

Apply in at least 20 gallons per acre; 0 day PHI

Strobilurin

Amistar

2-5 oz

5-14 days

Maximum of 4 applications; rotate with a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI

Quadris

6.2-15.4 fl oz

5-14 days

Maximum of 4 applications; rotate with a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Cri ticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies.  State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

 

Categories:  Spinach, Diseases, White Rust

 

Date:  04/01/2007