Leaf rust is found primarily in the extreme southern wheat growing region of Alabama. Leaf rust has reduced wheat yields over 50 percent in some fields when conditions were favorable for its development. Rust damage is greatest when it becomes established on wheat in the late winter or early spring and conditions remain favorable for continued infection for the remainder of the growing season. Leaf rust affects wheat yield by reducing grain weight, reducing the total number of grain, and reducing tillering. Stem rust is probably the most damaging and widely distributed wheat disease throughout the world.
Stem rust can be especially devastating to wheat yields.
Fortunately, over the last few years, stem rust outbreaks have been isolated and have caused little damage in Alabama. Stem rust damages wheat by causing lodging due to weakened stems and to a reduction in grain weight. Leaf rust can occur on wheat any time during the growing season, but in Alabama it is usually seen in the spring. This rust appears on and is generally confined to the lower wheat leaves during initial infection. If conditions are favorable for rust development, the rust will move to the upper leaves and then to the flag leaf.