Infection Conditions

*Note: the following information is for descriptive purposes only. Final, peer-reviewed results of research are not posted.

Despite being studied for over 200 years, Puccina punctiformis has many unknown mechanisms involved in its disease cycle.

Puccinia punctiformis utilizes multiple infection strategies in its autecious lifecycle. This pathogen can create systemic infections that spread throughout host tissue as well as localized infections that do not move beyond the initial point of infection. Biological control efforts are focused on increasing systemic disease because of its lethal effects on Canada thistle shoots and roots. The environmental parameters, inoculum levels, and infection courts for these infections are being experimentally investigated.

Timing and placement of inoculum were explored on field transplants and suggest a fall root infection court.