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Grapevine leaf rust
Have you seen grapevine leaf rust symptoms?
Be on the lookout for these symptoms and report them to DPI&F. Early detection and reporting of symptoms are the key elements in controlling the disease.
Call QPIF 13 25 23
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- Figure 1: Symptoms of grapevine leaf rust on upper leaf surface
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- Figure 2: Symptoms of grapevine leaf rust on lower leaf surface
General information
Grapevine leaf rust (GLR) is a disease of grapevines caused by the wind-borne fungus, Phakopsora euvitis. GLR is common throughout South-East Asia and other parts of the world. In 2001, the disease was detected in Australia for the first time in backyard vines in Darwin in the Northern Territory, and resulted in a National Grapevine Leaf Rust Eradication Program being established. It involved implementation of a quarantine zone, extensive surveys, removal of diseased vines and monitoring of healthy plants, and has been successful in eradicating GLR from the Northern Territory. Following the Northern Territory detection, surveys were conducted throughout Australia in at-risk rural and urban areas but GLR was not found outside the Darwin area. DPI&F will continue to maintain early detection surveys for GLR in at-risk areas of Queensland.
Overview
| What does it look like? | The presence of clustered, small, yellow, powdery spores on the underside of mature grapevine leaves indicates the possible presence of GLR (Figure 2). Small, dark spots also appear on the upper surface. Infestation may eventually lead to weakening of the vine and leaves dropping off. |
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| Symptoms and damage | The disease causes premature defoliation during the growing season, resulting in poor shoot growth and a reduction in quantity and quality of fruit. Its movement into production areas could increase the cost of grape growing because of the need to apply fungicides during the growing season. |
| Hosts | GLR affects Vitis spp., including commercial and some ornamental grape varieties. It has also been found on native Ampelocissus species in the Northern Territory under experimental conditions. |
| Spread | GLR spreads easily through wind-borne spores and the movement of infested plant material. |
