Epidemiology of Melampsoramedusae leaf rust of poplars in the north central United States

Abstract

Development of the aecial and uredial stages of Melampsoramedusae leaf rust of poplar in relation to the phenology of its hosts (Populus spp. and Larix spp.) was monitored from March until October during two consecutive growing seasons in central Iowa, east central Minnesota, and north central Wisconsin. Both years, in Wisconsin, larch needles flushed in early May and poplar leaves flushed in mid-May to late May. Aeciospores of M. medusae were found on spore traps only at the Wisconsin site (within the natural range of larch) from May 19 until the end of June in 1975 and 1976. Uredospores were present in the north central United States from mid-June through late September during both years. Temperatures between 15° and 20 °C and periods of precipitation favored uredospore production. Poplar leaf rust was found successively later at more southerly locations.