Several fungicides are effective in controlling stem rust, but their use is not usually justified. The importance of leaf rust is probably underestimated. The best conditions for leaf rust are the same as for good growth of the host. Therefore, in a good year, losses are obscured becau se yields seem relatively acceptable. Leaf rust has increased in importance in the absence of stem rust.
Damage occurs mainly on the leaf blade.
It is most severe in winter wheat areas where the fungus can overwinter on the wheat host and on late maturing spring wheat where it has time to bu ild up. Most leaf rust empiphytotics occur in the southern half of the Central Plains, the southeast, and the Pacific Northwest. This is the most widely distributed rust. Major rust epiphytotics have occured in eatern Europe and other regions. Alternate hosts are not important in the United States, but may be in Europe.