White Rust on Radishes: How to Treat a Radish with White Rust
Radish is one of the easiest, fastest and most resistant crops to grow. Yet they have their share of problems. One of them is radish white rust disease. What causes white radish rust? Read on to find out how to identify radishes with white rust and how to manage white rust on radishes.
What is white radish disease?
White radish rust is caused by the fungus Albugo candida . The disease usually affects the leaves, but it can also affect other parts of the plant. The fungus appears as raised, white spore masses on the underside of the leaves. The affected area may be just (marker__1)
visible from ½ inch or more.
How does white rust spread on radishes?
When mature, the blister-like skin of the pustule breaks, releasing powdery white spores that are carried by wind or water to nearby plants. Pustules sometimes cause deformations of stems, leaves or flowers.
Cruciferous white rust only infects plants in its host group. These include
- Rocket
- Chinese cabbage
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Chinese cabbage
- Cabbage
- Mustard
- Radish
- Tatsoi
- Turnips
The disease is favoured by mild temperatures and high humidity. Dry weather or extreme heat or cold will slow the progression of the disease. The pathogen survives year after year in the soil, in plant debris or infected crops over winter, and in the weeds that are its hosts.
Radish management with white rust
Practice crop rotation to help reduce the risk of disease by reducing the number of spores in the area. Tillage can also help reduce risk, although it can also increase soil loss through erosion. Because Albugo candida is crop specific, rotation between some of the hosts listed above is necessary to control the disease. Remove weeds and volunteer plants.
When conditions are conducive to disease, apply fungicides. The same fungicides that control late blight are also effective against white rust.
