Analysis of White Rust Research Progress Through Bibliography

Abstract

An obligate biotrophic fungus Albugo candida
(Pers. ex Hook.) O. Kuntze. causes white rust or
white blister rust or staghead disease in more than
400 plant species belonging to 31 families from
Brassicas, crucifers, vegetables and numerous
weeds (Saharan and Verma, 1992; Saharan et al.,
2014). The economic importance of the disease can
be judged by the estimated losses in oil yielding crops
from 1 to 90 per cent (Berkenkamp, 1972; Saharan
and Lakra, 1988). According to the published
literature, although, the disease is reported only from
more than 50 countries, but considering the nature
of the pathogen it is probably prevalent all over the
world wherever vegetation is possible (Saharan et
al., 2014). The genus Albugo was first reported by
Gmelin in 1792, which was later placed in genus
Uredo by Persoon, in 1801 and in genus Cystopus
(Aecidium) by Leveilla in 1847. More than 50
Albugo species and several of their combinations,
have been constructed (Wakefield, 1927; Biga, 1955;
Choi and Priest, 1955; Thines and Spring, 2005).
Recent studies on the aspects including
pathogenicity, molecular, genetical, and
phyllogeneticrelationship have revealed existence of
Albugo in four distinct lineages. Accordingly,
Albugo s.str. is pathogenic to Brassicaceae, Albugo
s.l. is pathogenic to convolvulaceae, and two
amended lineages, with eight new combinations, viz.,
Pustula and Wilsoniana, are pathogenic to Asteridae
and Caryophylidae, respectively (Thines and Spring,
2005; Choi et al., 2006; 2007; 2011; Vogalmayr and
Riethmuller, 2006; Thines et al., 2009).