Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2023·United States (Minnesota)

First Report of a Rust Fungus (Puccinia sp.) Infecting Lemongrass in Minnesota

Nicholas Greatens, Nick Klejeski, Les J. Szabo, Yue Jin, Pablo D. Olivera

Plant Disease

Urban Farm DB summary

In July 2021 and July-October 2022, rust disease was observed on all 20 lemongrass plants in a community garden near Mankato, Minnesota, USA, causing 5-50% leaf loss. Molecular analysis of the rust fungus identified it as Puccinia cesatii or a closely related species. Although P. cesatii has been reported on Cymbopogon species, lemongrass is not generally considered a host, indicating an unusual infection.