European pear rust monitoring

European pear rust (Gymnosporangium sabinae) monitoring

European pear rust is caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium sabinae (syn. Gymnosporangium fuscum). It was once a rarity in the UK, with only sporadic sightings, even with its striking symptoms. In the last few years, pear rust has been much more commonly recorded and it is now one of the main rust diseases occurring in UK gardens. The Royal Horticultural Society plant pathologists have been keeping records of this striking disease since 1996. Over 450 records collected through the RHS advisory service of Gymnosporangium sabinae on pears have been uploaded on to NBN Gateway.

View the data for European Pear Rust on the NBN Gateway

During 2011, an online survey was setup by the Sylva Foundation, through the TreeWatch initiative, to reach a wider audience. This is the first public involvement in a fungal survey of its kind on the NBN Gateway. The online survey encourages members of the public to ‘adopt’ a pear tree and then submit records monthly during May to September. The data gathered has a systematic approach recording both absence and presence, with additional details of if and when sporulation occurred.

The online survey will be running again during 2012, with all data collected to be uploaded to NBN Gateway. Please join in the 2012 online survey by adopting a tree at www.TreeWatch.com

If you would like further information and advice about European pear rust then please visit the RHS advisory web page

Written by Geoff Denton, Royal Horticultural Society
 

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