During recent years, the greatest severity has occurred in southwest Arkansas.
Stem rust is favored by warmer temperatures than either stripe or leaf rusts.
Symptoms usually first appear on stems and leaf sheaths at soft dough stage as large, brick red pustules that burst though the leaf surface. Varieties highly resistant to stem rust are available, but the disease is so sporadic that stem rust resistance should not be a high priority. Avoiding very susceptible varieties should be sufficient in Most cases. This disease develops too late for foliar fungicides to be feasible. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.