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A Temperature-Based Model for Latent-Period Duration in Stem Rust of Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue

A temperature-response curve for latent-period duration in stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola) on perennial ryegrass and tall fescue was developed from constant-temperature experiments with inoculated plants and evaluated in field experiments. Under constant-temperature conditions, time from infection to 50% of pustules erupted for perennial ryegrass ranged from 54 days at 3.5°C to 5.9 days at 26.5°C. The latent period (LP₅₀) duration of tall fescue was 69 and 8.5 days at these respective temperatures. The dependence of latent-period completion rate on temperature was best described as a linear increase in rate with temperature up to approximately 26°C, then an exponential decline with temperature up to the maximum (lethal) temperature of approximately 35.5°C. LP₂₀, the time required for 20% of open pustules to appear, was used as an estimator of latent-period duration for field observations. Percentage of one latent period completed per half hour (half-hourly rate), for perennial ryegrass was modeled as (0.0156T - 0.0206) {1 - exp[0.497(T - 35.5)]}, where T = average temperature (°C) during the half-hour period. For tall fescue the modeled rate was (0.0109T - 0.00214) {1 - exp[0.417(T - 35.5)]}. Latent periods modeled by these equations were compared with observed latent periods in field experiments with potted plants, where half-hourly temperatures were measured. Linear regressions of modeled versus observed latent periods had adjusted r² values of 0.96 for perennial ryegrass and 0.93 for tall fescue. The latent-period equations could be used as components of a weather-based disease advisory model to optimize fungicide use in stem-rust management on these crops.