Symptoms

• The disease is first evident as small, angular, yellow-green flecks on the leaf.
• The spots do not become extremely large but do become more yellow and finally a yellowish-brown.
• The margin of the spot is reddish in color. On the upper surface the spots are smooth, while on the lower surface the spots appear as small blisters.
• Brown spores are released from the blisters at maturity. As infection continues, the leaves become more yellow, and finally they begin to die around the leaf margins.
• Eventually death and defoliation occur. Complete defoliation can occur in two or three weeks. Fig rust generally becomes a problem as the fruit reaches maturity.

Management

• Therefore, fungicide applications should be started in the early spring when the first leaves are completely grown.
• Make additional applications as new growth is formed.
• Do not spray when the fruit is one-fourth inch in diameter as the spray residue will make the fruit unattractive.
• Resume spraying after the fruit has been harvested.