Abstract
Southern corn rust (SCR) caused by Puccinia polysora Underw is one of the most devastating maize diseases, resulting in substantial yield losses worldwide. The pathogen is an obligate biotrophic parasite that is difficult to culture on artificial media. In recent years, the disease has become prevalent—both globally and in China—and increasing difficult to control because of its wide distribution, long-distance migration, multiple physiological races and fast evolution, all of which have contributed to a considerable increase in the risks of associated epidemics. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of P. polysora, with emphasis on its global distribution (particularly in China), life and disease cycle, population genetics, migration, physiological races, resistance genes in maize and management. Understanding the underlying factors and processes in SCR epidemics should facilitate management of the disease and breeding for resistant maize varieties.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most highly produced and economically important cereal crop globally
We focus on the symptoms of southern corn rust (SCR) and the biological characteristics of the pathogen causing this disease, its distribution and migration trends, physiological races, resistance genes in maize and disease
Due to the loss of two maize lines, the classification of races was suspended (Guo et al 2013), resulting in the discovery and mapping of resistant genes based on complete resistance to SCR rather than race-specific resistance
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most highly produced and economically important cereal crop globally. We focus on the symptoms of SCR and the biological characteristics of the pathogen causing this disease, its distribution and migration trends, physiological races, resistance genes in maize and disease
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