INSIGHTS INTO CHRYSANTHEMUM WHITE RUST: LIFE CYCLE, DISEASE INCIDENCE, SEVERITY, SYMPTOMS, DISPERSAL, SURVIVAL AND HOST-PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS

Chrysanthemum white rust is a major fungal disease caused by Puccinia horiana Henn.This disease severely infects the chrysanthemum nurseries, crop growing in green house and also in open field conditions.Better understanding about pathogen with respect to its life cycle, disease incidence and disease severity, symptoms, disease dispersal and survival, will lead to awareness and adoption of various management practices accordingly.The detail study of various processes involved in molecular signalling, which leads to compatibility and incompatibility, help to isolate and characterize the resistance gene of host and avirulent genes of the pathogen.Identification of resistant/ tolerant germplasm will help the growers to choose the variety for commercial production and also will be effective to expand the cultivation area.