PHYSIOLOGIC SPECIALIZATION OF OAT STEM RUST IN CANADA

An account is given of the results of studies on the physiologic specialization of Puccinia graminis Avenae Erikss. and Henn. in Canada since the inception of the work. Twelve physiologic races were identified from 2586 isolates studied during the period 1921 to 1943. The annual surveys of the prevalence of physiologic races during this period show that each year races 1, 2, and 5 have comprised the bulk of the oat stem rust in all parts of Canada. The predominance of these races has been greatest in the three Prairie Provinces, where barberry is virtually non-existent. In regions where barberry is present, other races of greater range of pathogenicity have been found more frequently than in these three provinces. The occurrence of such races, however, was sporadic until 1943, in which year races 8, 10, and 11 attained a wide distribution, apparently traceable to wind-borne urediospores from the south. There is evidence that the strains of these races present in 1943 remain in the uredial stage for much longer periods than do strains of the same races collected in previous years—a fact that may have favoured their spread in this year.The role of barberry in the origination of generally virulent physiologic races is discussed. The possibility that such races may also originate by mutation is suggested by spontaneous pathogenic changes that occurred, in the greenhouse, in a culture of race 3 that gave rise to several cultures of race 7.The effect of environment on the identification of physiologic races is demonstrated by the seasonal influences on the reaction of the variety Sevnothree to races 1 and 11. On this variety the characteristic type 1 is frequently replaced, in summer, by type x.Experiments on the influence of temperature on the reaction of adult oat plants to stem rust showed that a constant temperature of about 80° F. does not appreciably affect the reaction of White Tartar and Richland, or of other varieties with the same type of resistance, but is capable of breaking down the resistance of certain varieties derived from the crosses Hajira × Joanette, Hajira × Banner, and Victoria × (Hajira × Banner).