New Type of Nuclear Life Cycle in Hemileia vastatrix

Abstract

Hemileia vastatrix1 is the cause of rust disease of coffee, and there have been many investigations of its life cycle. This rust is characterized by the formation of non-resting teliospores which germinate in situ and produce sporidia, which, however, are unable to reinfect coffee, which suggests that they are non-functional2–4. Pycnial and aecial stages of this rust are not known. We have conducted further investigations of the life cycle of and mode of perennation of this fungus, with special emphasis on nuclear behaviour.