Morphological Variability in Teliospores of Puccinia penniseti

Abstract

SUMMARY: Pure-line isolates of Puccinia penniseti Zimm. collected from various localities were induced to develop telia by growing infected plants of Pennisetum typhoides Stapf and Hubb. Telia developed not only normal two-celled teliospores but also occasionally one- and three-celled and rarely four- and five-celled teliospores. The shape and size of teliospores varied considerably in one-, two- and three-celled teliospores. Three morphological forms of Puccinia penniseti have been distinguished on the basis of this variability.