Stem Rust (Black Rust)
Puccinia graminis
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameStem Rust (Black Rust)
DescriptionStem rust creates deep reddish-brown, powdery pustules that can eventually turn black. Identify these oblong eruptions to prevent stem breakage and crop failure.
TypeFungus
FamilyPucciniaceae
GenusPuccinia
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumBasidiomycota
SubphylumPucciniomycotina
ClassPucciniomycetes
OrderPucciniales
Features
- One of the most destructive diseases of wheat and other cereals globally. Caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici
- Forms large, oblong, reddish-brown pustules on the stems, leaf sheaths, and occasionally on the leaves and grain heads
- Pustules have a characteristic 'torn' or ragged margin where the epidermis of the plant has been ruptured by the emerging spore mass
- As the plant matures, the pustules turn from reddish-brown to black as the fungus produces thick-walled overwintering spores called teliospores
- The fungus attacks the plant's vascular tissue, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients to the developing grain, leading to severe shriveling
- Stem infections can weaken the structural integrity of the plant, causing it to fall over (lodge) or breaking the straw entirely
- Thrives in warm (18-30°C) and moist conditions. Unlike yellow rust, it is often a late-season disease that appears as temperatures rise
- Has a complex lifecycle requiring an alternate host, typically the common barberry (Berberis vulgaris), to complete its sexual reproduction
- Prevent by planting resistant varieties and eradicating alternate barberry hosts. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which increases susceptibility
- Apply foliar fungicides preventatively if regional outbreaks are reported. Early detection is critical as the disease spreads rapidly by wind
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificPuccinia graminis
English (Alternate)Black rust, Cereal rust
Hindiतना रतुआ (Tana ratua)
Tamilதண்டு துரு நோய் (Thandu thuru noy)
Teluguకాండం కుంకుమ తెగులు (Kandam kunkuma tegulu)
Malayalamതണ്ട് തുരുമ്പ് (Taṇṭ turump)
Kannadaಕಾಂಡದ ತುಕ್ಕು ರೋಗ (Kāṇḍada tukku rōga)
Sanskritकाण्ड-किटिभ (Kāṇḍa-kiṭibha)
Bengaliকালো মরিচা রোগ (Kalo moricha rog)
Frenchrouille noire
Russianстеблевая ржавчина (steblevaya rzhavchina)
Spanishroya del tallo, roya negra
GermanSchwarzrost
