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Effects of Pyracarbolid on Coffee Leaf Rust in Kenya. S. K. Mulinge, Senior Plant Pathologist, Coffee Research Station, P.O. Box 4, Ruiru, Kenya; Celia J. Baker(2), and J. L. Pereira(3). (2)(3)Plant Pathologist, and Senior Field Officer, respectively, Coffee Research Station, P.O. Box 4, Ruiru, Kenya. Phytopathology 64:147-149. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-64-147.

The effects of pyracarbolid on coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix were studied in the field during an epidemic of the disease in the period July - November 1972, during which an oil-based formulation of the fungicide was applied at a rate of 0.6% product at three weekly intervals. Evidence was obtained which suggests that pyracarbolid accelerates abscission of already infected leaves and prevents the occurrence of new infections. On trees sprayed with pyracarbolid, abnormal and “pitted” leaf rust lesions developed from infections which occurred before spraying commenced. Lesions on the remaining treatments were normal.