Monitoring of Cereal rusts in Georgia in 2009-2013

Extensive surveys were undertaken throughout six geographic zones of Georgia during 2009-2013. Visual inspections were made in farm fields, roadsides and breeding stations. Except for 2012 the cropping seasons 2009-2013 in Georgia were favorable for yellow rust development. Stripe rust occurred in 79% of the fields surveyed. Severe epidemics occurred in the May and early June in 2009 and 2010. Incidence and severity levels of yellow rust in 2011-2013 were much lower than in previous years. Trace of yellow rust was observed in 2012 due to drought and hot dry weather in early spring. Wheat stem rust and leaf rust were found in 55% and 59% of the fields observed, respectively. The mean incidence of leaf rust ranged from 0.3% to 17.2%. Stem rust occurred with low intensity in the majority observed locations except Meskheti and Javakheti zones. Its overall mean incidence varied from 1% to 16.5%.