Fig Rust

Plant Health Clinic Disease Note Issue 28

Sherrie Smith and Jason Pavel

Fig Rust-Physopella fici. Photo by Sherrie Smith, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

A common leaf disease of fig is Fig Rust, caused by Physopella fici. Symptoms begin as small, angular, light yellow-green flecks on the leaves. The spots turn yellow to orange, brown, enlarge and spread as the growing season progresses. Rust pustules may be observed on the undersides of the leaves. Heavily infected leaves die and fall from the tree prematurely. The tree may be completely defoliated in two or three weeks. Defoliation may cause the tree to become susceptible to cold injury when it tries to replace the lost foliage late in the season.

How do I control Fig Rust?

Control of Fig Rust is dependent on the timing of fungicide applications. The disease can be controlled with one or two applications of neutral copper spray in May or early June. The first application should be made when the first leaves have reached full size. The second application should follow in 3 to 4 weeks.

Fig Rust Pustules-Physopella fici. Photo by Sherrie Smith, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Take Aways:
• Apply the first application of copper when the first leaves are full size in May or early June.
• Apply the second application 3-4 weeks later.

Follow us on Facebook!

UAEX Plant Health Clinic

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no. 2017-70006- 27279/project accession no. 1013890] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.