Abstract
Rust fungi (Pucciniales) are some of the most important plant pathogens that cause diseases of agricultural and tree crops. There are approximately 8,000 described species worldwide. The rust fungi of South Africa were extensively studied by Ethel M. Doidge (1887 – 1965), who listed 468 species. Many nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, together with the discovery of new species and incursions of exotic species, have subsequently outdated Doidge’s monograph. To address this problem, we have developed an interactive Lucid key for the identification of 50 species of rust fungi in 17 genera from countries in southern Africa. The key is dynamic and may be updated in real-time. The Lucid key provides a platform to progressively provide descriptions and images for all rust fungi in southern Africa. Plant pathologists and mycologists are invited to participate in the development of this resource.
Highlights
Rust fungi (Pucciniomycotina, Pucciniales) are highly specialized obligate plant pathogens
Rust fungi have been intentionally introduced to South Africa as biological control agents, such as Uromycladium tepperianum, to control the weedy and exotic Acacia saligna (Wood and Morris 2007)
Identification of rust fungi is challenging for a number of reasons, including their complex lifecycles, multiple species on one host, multiple hosts and the fact that there are few contemporary resources with information about their biology and morphology
Summary
Rust fungi (Pucciniomycotina, Pucciniales) are highly specialized obligate plant pathogens. They cause some of the most important diseases of plants used for agriculture and forestry, as well as for natural ecosystems globally. Rust fungi have been intentionally introduced to South Africa as biological control agents, such as Uromycladium tepperianum, to control the weedy and exotic Acacia saligna (Wood and Morris 2007). Doidge (1950) listed the rust fungi in southern Africa, and included information on host, location and specimens examined (available at: http://www.westerdijkinstitute.nl/ BioloMICSNews.aspx?Rec=5637). Doidge (1950) remains an essential reference for the identification of rust fungi in southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe This work covered 468 species, of which 128 were either described or re-combined in a series of earlier papers (Doidge 1926; 1928; 1939; 1941; 1948a; b). Doidge (1950) remains an essential reference for the identification of rust fungi in southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
