Turf Rusts—Puccinia spp.

Many rust fungi infect lawn grasses. They appear in late summer to early fall when the weather is dry and generally on lawns and other turf areas growing very slowly. When grass becomes infected by rust fungi, it is more susceptible to attack by other pathogens.

symptoms of rusty turf
Infected areas of lawn take on a generally yellow to orange appearance.

close up of powdery substance produced by rusty turf
Rusts produce a reddish, yellowish or orange powdery substance on the grass.

close up of spores
The powder is actually millions of microscopic spores produced by a fungus.

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[Photos: University of Minnesota Extension]