By Raney Rapp
Delta Farm Press
Louisiana wheat producers face a conundrum: hope for the rain desperately needed to revive a growing crop or wish it would stay dry and stall a prolific, early-arrived fungal infection. Leaf rust arrived early this year, challenging the wheat crop after a fairly successful winter season.
“Leaf rust can move very, very quickly,” said Louisiana State University Extension specialist Boyd Padgett. “It can go from just a very low amount to 90% of the plant covered in as little as two weeks. It’s a fast-moving fungus.”