Page 3 : Puccinia, , , , » Genus Puccinia consists of more than 4000 different species all, of which are plant pathogens., , »These are known to cause rusts in both monocotyledons and, dicotyledons., , » Major pathogen, P. graminis (Stem rust) affects cereal crops such, as wheat, barley etc., , »Some other species are- P. recondita (Brown rust), P. asparagi, (Asparagus rust), P. psidii (Guava rust) etc.

Page 5 : Puccinia graminis, , >It is an obligate parasite of wheat causing stem rust disease., , , , » Its life cycle consists of two hosts namely,, Wheat — Primary host, Barberry — Secondary host, » Stem rust affects parts of plants that are above ground., , >In wheat it results in formation of brown to black elongated, pustules., , >In Barberry flask shaped Pycnia at dorsal and aecia on ventral, side forms., , > Infection of P. graminis results in retarded growth and reduced, seed size in wheat., , , , >In north India it appears in March while in south it appears at, the end of November. Stem rust on Barberry