· Asparagusrust is a highly complicated fungal disease with four different stages that can invade your plants without showing symptoms until it is too late. Cultivars bred to be resistant to this pathogen often lose effectiveness over time. Read on to learn what symptoms to look for and how to treat your infected plants. · Cut back affected stems and tops. Clean up severely infected asparagus beds. Burn the debris or dispose of it safely away from the garden. Also, destroy any wild or volunteer asparagus plants that grow in the area, including plants found along fences or roadsides. · You are actively changing the conditions that the fungus needs to infect the plant by making sure that the asparagus has enough space for air to flow, watering the soil instead of the fronds, and getting rid of sick detritus. Good field sanitation and irrigation practices are important components of managing rust. Treatments are necessary when monitoring indicates rust is present. Provide adequate irrigation during the spring and summer fern period so that plants are neither over- nor under-watered. Remove infected crops during the growing season and before the emergence of new spears. Reduce excess moisture by avoiding overhead irrigation and overwatering and placing plants with adequate spacing for ventilation. Choose asparagus cultivars that are “slow-rusting” or tolerant of the pathogen. Most common in cool, damp weather, purple spots can be prevented by following good field sanitation. Cut back last year’s ferns and remove any plants affected by the disease. 2. Rust is one of the most common asparagus diseases. It presents several symptoms depending on the season. Ensure adequate spacing between plants to promote good air circulation and reduce humidity levels. Remove and destroy any infected plant debris, including infected ferns or spears, to minimize the potential sources of spores for future infections.
