Coffee rust—epidemiology and control

The history and spread of coffee rust, from its first detection in Sri Lanka to the latest developments in Central America, are discussed. The epidemiology of the disease has been a subject of controversy in the past, but during the last decade most of the questions concerning the mode of spore dispersal seem to have been answered. Although it is necessary to investigate further the influence of host physiology on some epidemiological factors, such as latency and sporulation, sufficient is now known of the epidemiology of the disease to predict its behaviour in different regions and to devise provisional chemical control schedules. Copper fungicides still remain the most widely used chemicals but some of the more modern systemic fungicides are showing great potency. Advances in spraying techniques, with concomitant reductions in volumes and doses, have made chemical control more economic. The chemical control of coffee rust is greatly influenced by socioeconomic and physiographic factors as well as by the agronomy of the crop. Resistant varieties have so far played little part in coffee rust control, but some lines from Arabica-Robusta hybrids may show durable resistance.