Question

Why is puccinia known as macrocyclic and polymorphic rust?

Answer 1

Puccinia:

1. Puccinia is a genus of fungi.
2. All the species of this genus are plant pathogens and they are also known as rusts.

Macrocyclic and polymorphic rust:

1. It is a type of rust that possesses five spore states throughout its life cycle.
2. They are denoted by roman numerals.
3. The five spore states with their roman denominations are:

1. Spermatia (0)
2. Aeciospores (I)
3. Urediniospores (II)
4. Teliospores (III)
5. Basidiospores (IV)

Thus, Puccinia is known as macrocyclic and polymorphic rust because it has an extended life cycle consisting of all five spore states.