White Rust (Crucifer)
Albugo candida
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameWhite Rust (Crucifer)
DescriptionWhite rust creates raised, chalky white blisters on the undersides of broccoli and mustard leaves. Identify 'staghead' flowering tips to save your crucifer crops.
TypeOomycete
FamilyAlbuginaceae
GenusAlbugo
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumOomycota
ClassPeronosporea
OrderAlbuginales
Features
- A common and highly visible disease of cruciferous plants like mustard, broccoli, and cabbage. Caused by the water mold Albugo candida
- Produces small, raised, white-to-creamy pustules (blisters) primarily on the underside of leaves, giving the plant a 'chalky' appearance
- The upper leaf surface corresponding to the pustules often shows distinct yellow (chlorotic) spots or mosaic-like patterns
- Can cause systemic infection resulting in dramatic 'staghead' deformity of flowering parts, which become twisted, thickened, and sterile
- The white pustules eventually rupture, releasing a powdery mass of sporangia that are spread by wind and water to healthy tissues
- Thrives in cool, wet weather with frequent dews. Unlike true rusts (fungi), Albugo is an oomycete, more closely related to late blight
- Can significantly reduce the photosynthetic capacity of the plant and lead to severe distortion of stems and reproductive organs
- The pathogen overwinters as thick-walled oospores in the soil or in infected plant debris, which can remain viable for several years
- Prevent by rotating crops with non-cruciferous plants for at least 3 years and controlling cruciferous weeds that act as alternate hosts
- Manage by improving field drainage and using protective fungicides if necessary. Remove and destroy any 'staghead' infected plants immediately
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificAlbugo candida
English (Alternate)White blister
Hindiसफेद गेरूई (Safed gerui)
Tamilவெண் துரு நோய் (Ven thuru noy)
Teluguతెల్ల కుంకుమ తెగులు (Tella kunkuma tegulu)
Malayalamവെള്ള തുരുമ്പ് (Veḷḷa turump)
Kannadaಬಿಳಿ ತುಕ್ಕು ರೋಗ (Biḷi tukku rōga)
Sanskritश्वेत-किटिभ (Śveta-kiṭibha)
Bengaliহোয়াইট রাস্ট (White rust)
Frenchrouille blanche
Russianбелая ржавчина капустных (belaya rzhavchina kapustnykh)
Spanishroya blanca de las crucíferas
GermanWeißer Rost
