Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

During a uredinological survey carried out in September 2011 in Deosai Plains, Pakistan, leaves of the medicianally important herb Heracleum candicans Wall. were found to be infected with a rust fungus. Uredinia were amphigenous, scattered, minute. Urediniospores were globose to subglobose, hyaline to light brown, (21-) 24-33 × (24-) 31–34 (-39) µm; wall hyaline, (2.1-) 2.8- 4 (-4.4) µm thick, echinulate; germpores 1-2, tending to be equatorial. Telia were small, scattered, pulverulent. Teliospores were 1-2 celled, 1-celled spores globose to subglobose, hyaline, 23-30 × 27–36 µm; wall 2.8-4.2 µm thick, 3-5 (-7) µm thick at apex, pedicel up to 12 µm long. 2-celled spores ovate, hyaline to light brown, 23-28× 32-44 (-47) µm; wall 3-5 µm thick, reticulate, 3-5 µm thick at apex, pedicel broken mostly, up to 7 µm long. Based on these morphological traits and spore dimensions, the rust was identified as Puccinia heraclei Grev., a sample of which was deposited in LAH Herbarium (LAH Herbarium No. 1204) of the University of the Punjab, Lahore. It has previously been reported on Heracleum sphondylium Bourg. ex Reut. in Britain (Wilson and Henderson, 1966). The aecial stage of this taxon has previously been reported from Murree hills of Pakistan on same host by Arthur and Cummins (1933). To the best of our knowledge it is first record of uredinial and telial states of P. heraclei in Pakistan.