Stripe rust presents in county wheat

WHITMAN COUNTY – Stripe rust has been discovered in varieties of winter wheat on the Palouse and actively producing spores.

The rust was first spotted in Washington State University's experiment fields around Pullman. Dr. Xianming Chen, WSU research plant pathologist said the appearance of the rust is normal for the Palouse and is about a week earlier than last year.

"Stripe rust occurs in the Pacific Northwest, especially the Palouse region, every year," Chen said. "Significant damage occurs three of every five years. If growing highly susceptible varieties and without using fungicide, yield...