Gene-for-Gene Interactions in Rust Fungi Gene-for-Gene Interactions in Rust Fungi The study of gene-for-gene interactions uncovers genetic components, evolutionary impacts, and ecological/economic implications between rust fungi and plants. Rust fungi utilize the gene-for-gene interaction to invade host plants. Conversely, host plants utilize the gene-for-gene interaction to prevent invasion of rust fungi. Gene-for-gene interactions between plants and rust fungi are helping us further understand the ecology and evolution of plant-microbe interactions, specifically pathogenicity. There are implications of gene-for-gene interactions for fitness in real world populations. Co-evolution due to gene-for-gene interactions can help us understand evolutionary advantages and disadvantages. Co-evolution can help understand how the host-pathogen interactions
Stem rust the end of the growing season black telia are produced. For this reason stem rust is also known as 'black rust'. The telia are firmly attached to the plant tissue. The site of infection is a visible symptom of the disease. Pycnia appear on barberry plants in the spring, usually in the upper leaf surfaces. They are often in small clusters and exude pycniospores in a sticky honeydew. Five to ten days later, cup-shaped structures filled with orange-yellow, powdery aeciospores break through the lower leaf surface. The aecial cups are yellow and sometimes elongate to extend up to 5 mm