Groundnut Rust in the United States and the Caribbean

Abstract

Groundnut rust, caused by Puccinia arachidis Speg., is endemic in the West Indies and has occurred with increasing frequency in the United States in recent years. Since 1970 this highly destructive fungus has become established throughout Asia and Oceania, in Australia, and in much of Africa. Rust, together with the leaf spots, greatly restricts production of groundnuts in the Caribbean and in Central America. However, it has not been a major cause of crop losses in the USA except in South Texas during 1971. The fungus does not overwinter in the USA but airborne uredospores are blown in from subtropical areas. Several fungicides currently recommended for leaf spot control are also effective against rust. Three distinct groundnut genotypes are known sources of marked resistance: Tarapoto (P.l.s 259747, 341879, 350680, 381622, 405132); Israel Line 136 (P.l.s 298115 and 315608); and DHT 200 (P.l. 314817). The resistance is physiological and apparently bigenic and recessive. Variation in reaction to different isolates suggests that races of groundnut rust occur. Rust-resistant lines with acceptable agronomic traits are under development in several breeding programmes.