Stem rust fungus. Different from most fungi, the rust variations have five spore stages and alternate between two hosts. Wheat is the primary host, and barberry is the alternate host. There are multiple pathotypes (including QCC and MCC) affecting barley, within "forma specialis tritici". The stem rust fungus attacks the parts of the plant that are above ground. Spores that land on green wheat plants form a pustule that invades the outer layers of the stalk. Infected plants produce fewer tillers and set fewer seed, and in cases of severe infection the plant may die. Infection can reduce what is an apparently
Wheat yellow rust In 1953, Hylander et al. (1953) revived the name P. striiformis. "Yellow rust" takes its name from the appearance of yellow-colored stripes produced parallel along the venations of each leaf blade. These yellow stripes are actually characteristic of uredinia that produce yellow colored urediniospores. Primary hosts of yellow rust are "Triticum aestivum" (bread wheat), "Triticum turgidum" (durum wheat), triticale, and a few "Hordeum vulgare" (barley) cultivars. The alternate host was discovered by accident in 2010. Species of common barberry plants (the alternate host of wheat stem rust) were found harbouring stripe rust. When transferred to grass hosts, Kentucky Bluegrass was