Cooperative Extension (CE)

Cooperative Extension (CE) provides non-formal science-based education to enrich the lives and livelihood of farmers, consumers and families in Hawaii. As the outreach component of UH Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, CE extends practical applications of science to support local food systems, healthy living, youth development, and the stewardship of natural resources for future generations.

Together with the Community

2 November 2020

Coffee Leaf Rust

Pest confirmed on Maui and tentatively on Hawai`i Island

Coffee Leaf Rust

Coffee leaf rust (CLR) has been confirmed by the U.S Dept. of Agriculture from coffee plant samples collected on Maui last week. In response, the Hawai`i Dept. of Agriculture (HDOA) began statewide surveys and has detected suspect plants on Hawai`i Island.

CLR is one of the most devastating pests of coffee plants and is established in all major coffee growing areas of the world. The first observable symptoms are yellow-orange rust spots, appearing on the upper surface of leaves. On the underside of the leaves, infectious spores appear resembling a patch of yellow- to dark orange-colored powder.

Read more from the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. Photo courtesy of Cathie Aime, Purdue University.