Fig Rust Caused by Cerotelium fi ci: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Fig rust is one of the serious fungal diseases caused by Cerotelium fi ci which causes great loss to the overall growth and yield of the plant. This disease is generally characterized by pale reddish-brown to reddish-brown angular leaf spots, typically found on the adaxial surfaces of the leaves, whereas the corresponding abaxial surface of the same leaves was covered with a lot of orange rust pustules. With the progression of this rust disease, angular spots fused to form necrotic patches whereas, leaf edges curled upward. Premature abscission of leaves takes place, leaving bare branches and unripe fruits. This disease showed its global distribution in tropical and subtropical areas, however, the highest distribution was found in the African continent (18 countries) followed by Asia (14 countries), North & South America (10 countries each), Europe (8 countries) and 7 countries in the Oceanian continent. Apart from the rust pathogen Cerotelium fi ci, the Phakospora nishidana was also reported to cause fi g rust which has created confusion on the identity of C. fi ci as a fi g rust pathogen. This suggests a need to re-examine all specimens of fi g rust at the global scale, based on morphological and modern DNAbased methods so that the taxonomic ambiguities on fi g rust pathogens can be resolved and suitable control methods can be implemented to avoid serious crop and yield loss.