Production of teliospores by some races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in detached wheat and barley leaves

Five races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici cultured on wheat and barley leaves in two nutrient solutions were studied for teliospore formation by subjecting them to varying treatments of temperature and light. The early appearance as well as a high percentage of teliospore formation occurred in 100 ppm benzimidazole solution on wheat or barley leaves kept at 30°C and 500 footcandles of light. The feasibility of maintaining and multiplying races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in continuous cultures on detached leaves depends on various factors, the most important being the onset of the teliostage of the fungus. The appearance of the teliospore denotes the culmination of the sporophytic or repeating stage of the wheat rusts. In this paper, some factors that influence the production of teliospores by certain races of Puccinia graminis tritici in detached leaves are discussed.