Biology
There is considerable genetic diversity within the species P. graminis and several special forms, forma specialis, which vary in host range have been identified.
- Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae, oat
- Puccinia graminis f. sp. dactylis
- Puccinia graminis f. sp. lolii
- Puccinia graminis f. sp. poae
- Puccinia graminis f. sp. secalis, rye, barley
- Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, wheat, barley
P. graminis is a member of the Phylum Basidiomycota within the Kingdom Fungi. The characteristic rust color on stems and leaves is typical of a general stem rust as well as any variation of this type of fungus. Different from most fungi, the rust variations have five spore stages and alternate between two hosts. Wheat is the primary host and barberry is the alternate host.
Read more about this topic: Stem Rust
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