Crown Rust
Have you ever walked through your paddock and found an orange powdery substance over your clothes or boots? Chances are you have some perennial rye grass that has become infected with a fungus called crown rust. In economic terms for a farmer, this is a disaster as it effects yield so badly, for horse owners, not so much, unless we are cutting for hay.
The disease is often seen in late summer and during the autumn and its spread is encouraged by warm, dry days and cool moist nights so you may start to see it from August onwards
Effects:
A reduction in tillering and root growth and the foliage will turn yellow.
Palatability declines
Sugar and carbohydrate stored in the plant declines
The plant can fail to regenerate
The re-growth and response to nitrogen is compromised
Facial eczema caused by it rotting on the ground uneaten, where another fungus takes over
Yield is massively reduced
Control:
Graze frequently ( to take top growth off)
Apply nitrogen in July or August
Top the field and remove infected herbage if it’s not being eaten.
Fertilise to encourage new growth – but ensure that the field is then grazed regularly (ideally at intervals not exceeding three weeks).
Overseed in September with either a more resistant to crown rust varietal of perennial rye or as most horse owners prefer, overseed with something that isn’t rye
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