Solanum-Andropogonrust - Puccinia agrophila

This is one of several rust fungi that cause diseases on eggplant and related members of the genus Solanum. These have been little studied and it is possible that this species is synonym of another rust species.

Puccinia agrophila Syd. 1937

Uredinia hypophyllous (on lower surface of leaves), early exposed, scattered, yellow to cinnamon-brown; urediniospores globose to ellipsoid, 30-32.5 × 15-22.5 µm, yellowish, echinulate with low spines to 3.8 µm, inner surface appearing stellate, germ pores obscure, 6-8, scattered.

Aeciospores 18-22 × 15-18 µm, angularly globoid, wall 1 µm thick, finely verrucose, hyaline or pale yellowish. 16-23 µm, mostly globoid or broadly ellipsoid, wall uniformly 1.5-3.5 µm thick, or the inner surface invaginated at pores to give a slightly stellate appearance to lumen, echinulate with low spines, germ pores 6-8, obscure.

Telia abaxial surface, early exposed, oval to nearly oblong, black to brown; teliospores 27.5-43 × 19-28 µm, broadly ellipsoid or broadly obovoid, walls 2-4 µm thick at sides, 4-8 µm, apically, chestnut-brown; pedicels thin-walled, collapsing, to 60-153 µm long.

See Cummins (1971) and Eboh (1985) for a more detailed description.

Host range: Aecial stage on Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum, specifically S. giganteum (African holly), S. incanum (bitter-apple), S. lasiocarpum, S. melongena (eggplant), S. panduriforme, and S. supinum.

Uredinial and telial stage on Andropogon and related grasses, specifically A. appendiculatus, A. gayanus, and A. tectorum

Geographic distribution: Africa (Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe), Europe (Far East Russia)

References:

Crous, P.W., Phillips, A.J.L., and Baxter, A.P. 2000. Phytopathogenic Fungi from South Africa. University of Stellenbosch, Department of Plant Pathology Press, 358 pages.

Cummins, G.B. 1971. The Rust Fungi of Cereals, Grasses and Bamboos. Springer-Verlag, New York, 570 pages.

Doidge, E.M. 1950. The South African fungi and lichens to the end of 1945. Bothalia 5: 1-1094.

Eboh, D.O. 1985. Nigerian graminicolous Uredinales: grass rusts from Nsukka -- II. Mycologia 77: 205-211.

Gjaerum, H.B. 1995. Rust fungi from various countries. Lidia 3: 145-170.

Lenne, J. M. 1990. World List of Fungal Diseases of Tropical Pasture Species. Phytopathol. Pap. 31: 1-162.

Peregrine, W.T.H., and Siddiqi, M.A. 1972. A revised and annotated list of plant diseases in Malawi. Phytopathol. Pap. 16: 1-51.

Resplandy, R., Chevaugeon, J., Delassus, M., and Luc, M. 1954. Premiere liste annotee de champignons parasites de plantes cultivees en Cote d'Ivoire. Ann. Epiphyt. 1: 1-61.

Wakefield, E.M., and Hansford, C.G. 1948-49. Contributions towards the fungus flora of Uganda. IX. The Uredinales of Uganda. Proc. Linn. Soc. London 161: 162-197.

Nomenclature

Specimens in BPI

Additional distribution data

Suggested citation: Yun, H.Y. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. . Invasive Fungi. Solanum-Andropogonrust - Puccinia agrophila. Retrieved November 21, 2009, from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/sbmlweb/fungi/index.cfm .