Oat stem and leaf (crown) rust disease management guide

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Stem rust and leaf rust (also known as crown rust) can be major constraints on oat production across all grain-growing regions of Australia as they can reduce yield and quality of both hay and milling crops. Both diseases can often be found in the same crop. Leaf rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia coronata var. avenae, while stem rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis var. avenae. Both rust species are oat-specific and will not infect wheat or barley. However, the weed species wild oat is also a host of these diseases.