Vol. 12, Special Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
P Prashant and Jyothi Anna Kurian

Abstract:
Rust diseases are among the deadliest that may infect food crops, and they have historically resulted in massive yield losses around the world. Rust pathogens develop a significant number of spores in a short length of time, which are quickly spread by the wind across a vast area for re-infection of the crop. This feature of rust infections allows for several infection cycles over a vast geographical area in a short amount of time throughout the growing season, and can result in total yield losses in epidemic conditions. This document discusses the rust diseases that can be found in Canada comparing it with the rust pathogen movement in Indian Sub-continent, as well as the various management techniques utilised to combat them. Among all fungal groups, rust fungus have distinct systematic traits. For generations, mycologists have been fascinated by the fact that a single species of rust fungus can develop up to five morphologically and Cytologically unique spore-producing structures.