Question

The black rust of wheat is a fungal disease caused by

(a) Albugo Candida

(b) Puccinia graminis tritici

(c) Melampsora lini

(d) Claviceps purpurea.

Answer 1

Answer: (b) Puccinia graminis tritici

Explanation:

The black rust of wheat is a fungal disease caused by a fungus, Puccinia graminis tritici.

Symptoms:

i. The uredial pustules occur on stem, leaf sheath, leaves and earheads but the stem is often most severely affected.

ii. The pustules of black rust are reddish-brown in color and elongated in shape.

iii. This rust spreads fast under relatively warmer and humid environmental conditions.

iv. By the time the crop matures, dark, black, elongated tetial pustules are formed.

iv. The name black rust was given to this rust due to the prominence of its dark black telia.