About the Disease

About the disease

Grapevine Leaf Rust is caused by the fungus Phakopsora euvitis. It survives all year round in the Darwin and Palmerston area, living in the foliage of vines.

Locality:

The disease is common throughout South East Asia and other parts of the world but has never before been detected in Australia. It is a serious disease of grapes in the USA and South East Asia and occurs as close to Australia as Indonesia and Timor Leste. It was only discovered in the Darwin and Palmerston urban area in 2001.

Symptoms:

The disease is most readily identified by clustered small yellow powdery spores on the underside of the leaves. Small dark necrotic spots also appear on the upper surface. Heavy infections can lead to the leaves dropping off and the vine weakening. It may also reduce the fruit yield of the vine.

The images below illustrate the appearance of Grapevine Leaf Rust:

Grapevine Leaf Rust on back of leaf	Grapevine Leaf Rust on front of leaf

Infection:

Infection occurs through the leaves via the yellow spores. The spores can be spread short distances on the wind, but are also spread by movement of diseased leaf material and possibly on people who visit infected vines.