Symptom development and latent period of Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust) in relation to host species,temperature, and ontogenic resistance

Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is an invasive species causing damage to Myrtaceae species in natural and managed ecosystems in many countries. To better understand myrtle rust epidemiology we studied latent period (LP) and ontogenic resistance in relation to temperature on three susceptible hosts (Metrosideros excelsa, Lophomyrtus bullata × L. obcordata and Syzygium jambos). The latent period curve was U-shaped, with latent development >0 from between 8 and 10 °C, depending on the host, to 32 °C. Optimum range was 22–28 °C with minimum LP of 5–7 days. Peak spore production occurred over about 2 weeks, starting about 1 week after the LP ended. Some spore production continued for 1–2 months. Comparison of the LP data with field temperatures indicated that the uredinial stage of A. psidii can overwinter in the latent phase in temperate areas of New Zealand and southern Australia and, therefore, uredinial or telial reinfection is not required during winter. The LP information was used to correct the LP function in a New Zealand myrtle rust climatic risk model. The transition of emergent leaf and stem tissues in susceptible Myrtaceae genotypes from susceptible to immune (ontogenic resistance) was characterized in terms of uredinium density and LP. Onset of ontogenic resistance was closely linked to the degree of leaf expansion, with fully expanded leaves being immune to infection. Because ontogenic resistance restricts infection to periods when growth flushes occur, understanding it is crucial for explaining the seasonality of myrtle rust development in the natural environment.     

Developing a spectral disease index for myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii)

Since 2010 Australian ecosystems and managed landscapes have been severely threatened by the invasive fungal pathogen Austropuccinia psidii. Detecting and monitoring disease outbreaks is currently only possible by human assessors, which is slow and labour intensive. Over the last 25 years, spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) have been designed to assess variation in biochemical or biophysical traits of vegetation. However, diagnosis of individual diseases based on classical SVIs is currently not possible because they lack disease specificity. Here, a novel spectral disease index (SDI), the lemon myrtle–myrtle rust index (LMMR), has been developed. The index was designed from hyperspectral leaf-clip data collected at a lemon myrtle plantation in New South Wales, Australia. A total of 236 fungicide-treated (disease free) and 228 untreated (diseased) lemon myrtle leaves were sampled and a random forest classifier was used to show that the LMMR discriminates those classes with an overall accuracy of 90%. Compared to three classical SVIs (PRI, MCARI, NBNDVI), commonly applied for stress detection, the LMMR clearly improved classification accuracies (58%, 67%, 60%, respectively). If the LMMR can be validated on independent datasets from similar and different host species, it could enable land managers to reduce disease impact by earlier control. There might also be potential to collect useful data for epidemiology models. Calculating the LMMR based on hyperspectral data collected from aerial platforms (e.g. drones) would allow for rapid and high-capacity screening for disease outbreaks.     

Risk assessment for Puccinia psidii becoming established in South Africa

Puccinia psidii, the causal agent of myrtle rust, was first recorded from Latin America more than 100 years ago. It occurs on many native species of Myrtaceae in Latin America and also infects non‐native plantation‐grown Eucalyptus species in the region. The pathogen has gradually spread to new areas including Australia and most recently South Africa. The aim of this study was to consider the susceptibility of selected Eucalyptus genotypes, particularly those of interest to South African forestry, to infection by P. psidii. In addition, risk maps were compiled based on suitable climatic conditions and the occurrence of potential susceptible tree species. This made it possible to identify the season when P. psidii would be most likely to infect and to define the geographic areas where the rust disease would be most likely to establish in South Africa. As expected, variation in susceptibility was observed between eucalypt genotypes tested. Importantly, species commonly planted in South Africa show good potential for yielding disease‐tolerant material for future planting. Myrtle rust is predicted to be more common in spring and summer. Coastal areas, as well as areas in South Africa with subtropical climates, are more conducive to outbreaks of the pathogen.     

Detecting myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) on lemon myrtle trees using spectral signatures and machine learning

Hundreds of species in one of Australia's dominant plant families, the Myrtaceae, are at risk from the invasive pathogenic fungus Austropuccinia psidii. Since its arrival in Australia in 2010, native plant communities have been severely affected, with highly susceptible species likely to become extinct from recurring infections. While severe impact on Australian native and plantation forestry has been predicted, the lemon myrtle industry is already under threat. Commercial cultivars of lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) are highly susceptible to A. psidii. Detecting and monitoring disease outbreaks is currently only possible by eye, which is costly and subject to human bias. This study aims at developing a proof‐of‐concept for automated, non‐biased classification of healthy (naïve), fungicide‐treated and diseased lemon myrtle trees by means of their spectral reflectance signatures. From a lemon myrtle plantation, spectral signatures of fungicide‐treated and untreated leaves were collected using a portable field spectrometer. A third class of spectra, from naïve lemon myrtle leaves that had not been exposed to A. psidii, was collected from a botanical garden. Reflectance spectra in their primary form and their first‐order derivatives were used to train a random forest classifier resulting in an overall accuracy of 78% (kappa = 0.68) for primary spectra and 95% (kappa = 0.92) for first‐order derivative‐transformed spectra. Thus, an optical sensor‐based discrimination, using spectral reflectance signatures of this as yet uninvestigated pathosystem, seems technically feasible. This study provides a foundation for the development of automated, sensor‐based detection and monitoring systems for myrtle rust.     

Susceptibility of native New Zealand Myrtaceae to the South African strain of Austropuccinia psidii: A biosecurity threat

Austropuccinia psidii, cause of myrtle rust, has spread globally where Myrtaceae occur. Multiple strains of A. psidii have been identified, including a unique strain found only in South Africa. The South African strain is a biosecurity concern for species of Myrtaceae worldwide. This is because preliminary testing of South African Myrtaceae suggests it could have a wide host range, and thus has the potential to be invasive. In this study, we assessed the ability of the South African strain to infect other species of Myrtaceae by testing the susceptibility of New Zealand provenance Myrtaceae. Seedlings of four native New Zealand Myrtaceae species (Metrosideros excelsa, Leptospermum scoparium, Kunzea robusta, and Kunzea linearis) were artificially inoculated in South Africa with a single-uredinium isolate of the South African strain. Fourteen days after inoculation, uredinia, and in many cases telia, had developed on the young leaves and stems of all four host species, which led to shoot tip dieback in the more severe cases. When comparisons were made between the species, K. robusta was the least susceptible to the South African strain of A. psidii, while L. scoparium and M. excelsa were the most susceptible. While only a limited number of seed families were tested, only a small proportion of the seedlings showed resistance to infection by the South African strain. This preliminary testing highlights the potential invasive risk the South African strain poses to global Myrtaceae communities, including New Zealand Myrtaceae.     

Temperature adaptation in Australasian populations of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the major fungal pathogens of wheat. A new pathotype was introduced to Australia in 2002 and several derivative pathotypes were detected in subsequent seasons. It has been suggested that the severity of stripe rust outbreaks in Australia since 2002 could be as a result of traits other than virulence in the pathogen population. This study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that the stripe rust pathogen population dominant in Australia since 2002 was better adapted to warm temperature conditions compared to previous pathogen populations. Sixteen pathotypes were selected to examine the influence of two contrasting temperature regimes during the 24 h incubation (10°C and 15°C) and the subsequent post‐inoculation (17°C and 23°C) periods on latent period and infection efficiency on four susceptible wheat cultivars. In addition, the effect of two contrasting incubation temperatures on urediniospore germination was examined. The results indicated that pathotypes of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici detected after 2002 did not show evidence of adaptation to high temperatures, which suggests that other factors contributed to the observed increased aggressiveness.     

Evidence that Austropuccinia psidii may complete its sexual life cycle on Myrtaceae

The rust fungus Austropuccinia psidii has spread globally and naturalized in areas with naïve species of Myrtaceae. Previous studies have revealed multiple strains of A. psidii within South America and two strains outside of its native range. The rust spreads by windborne mitotic urediniospores, which are the dominant spore stage. Teliospores and basidiospores of A. psidii are also formed; however, the biological role of these stages in the life cycle is unknown. Experiments presented here tested whether basidiospores of A. psidii could infect Syzygium jambos. The sori produced by infection with basidiospores were screened with five microsatellite markers to confirm whether they were a product of recombination. The findings showed that basidiospores of A. psidii could cause infection on species of Myrtaceae and the resulting sori were a product of recombination. This has important implications for programmes that breed for resistance to this aggressive pathogen in commercial eucalypt forestry.     

The Potential Geographic Range of Pyrenophora semeniperda

ABSTRACT There is no evidence that Pyrenophora semeniperda, the causal agent of leaf spotting in many annual and perennial grasses, currently occurs in Europe or Asia. However, there is potential phytosanitary concern that the importation of infected commodities could result in the introduction of this fungus into Eurasia, putting crops at risk and possibly resulting in economic losses. To assist in assessing the risk of geographic range extension of P. semeniperda, an analysis was undertaken to estimate the potential global distribution of this species, based on climatic suitability. Geographic distribution data for P. semeniperda in part of its current range were used to fit parameter values in a CLIMEX pest risk assessment model, and the remaining distribution data were used to validate the model. The CLIMEX model correctly predicts that virtually all locations where P. semeniperda has been found are climatically suitable. Only five locations worldwide where the fungus was recorded present are predicted as being unsuitable. These "outliers" may have been transient populations occurring during a favorable season and then dying out. Exploratory adjustments of the model to accommodate these records created unsatisfactory distortions in the projected climatic suitability surfaces, extending the suitable climatic zone beyond well-established traditional range boundaries. We are therefore confident that the model is credibly predicting the potential distribution of P. semeniperda worldwide. The CLIMEX model suggests that P. semeniperda could potentially extend its range throughout Europe and temperate regions of Asia, Africa, and South America. Our heavy reliance upon geographic data to build this CLIMEX model departs from most previous published examples in plant pathology, which have depended primarily upon experimentally derived physiological data to estimate model parameters. The use of geographic data to infer climate parameters is popular in CLIMEX models of weeds and arthropod pests and can provide decision-makers with early risk assessments of potential pathogen invasions, particularly where the pathogens have long, or difficult-to-study, lifecycles.     

Disease cycle of Austropuccinia psidii on Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus obliqua leaves of different rust response phenotypes

Myrtle rust poses a significant biosecurity threat to Australia with potential for long-term damaging impacts on native flora and plant industries. This study describes the disease cycle of Austropuccinia psidii, the myrtle rust pathogen, in Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus obliqua, two commercially and ecologically important species from different subgenera of Eucalyptus. Ontogeny and morphology of infection structures of A. psidii on plants of both Eucalyptus species with different rust response phenotypes, i.e. completely resistant, hypersensitive and highly susceptible, were investigated. Plants were inoculated with single-uredinium-derived urediniospores and examined by scanning electron microscopy. No differences between rust response phenotypes were observed in germination of urediniospores, formation of appressoria or length of germ tubes. The growth of germ tubes had no affinity towards stomata of either species. Histological observations indicated direct penetration by infection pegs through the leaf cuticle and no penetration beyond the epidermis on rust-resistant E. obliqua. Eucalyptus obliqua plants that were identified as susceptible to A. psidii at 3- and 6-months-old showed no disease when reinoculated with A. psidii at 12-months-old; this indicated possible early acquisition of adult plant resistance to A. psidii in this species. In the susceptible phenotype of E. globulus rust inoculation led to rapid colonization of leaf parenchyma cells with the disease cycle completed within 10 days. These findings provide valuable insights into host–pathogen interactions in the Eucalyptus–A. psidii pathosystem, which might be useful for the development of effective rust control strategies across Eucalyptus subgenera.     

Diversity of virulence phenotypes among annual populations of wheat leaf rust in Israel from 1993 to 2008

Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina, is the most common rust disease of wheat in wheat‐producing areas worldwide. The Israeli population of wheat leaf rust has been consistently monitored since 1993. A total of 840 single urediniospore isolates from Triticum aestivum (567), T. dicoccoides (119) and T. durum (154) were analysed during 1993–2008. The structure of the pathogen population has changed to a large extent since 1993. The annual populations of P. triticina were separated into two distinct groups: 1993–1999 and 2000–2008. Differentiation among the annual pathogen populations, as well as between the overall populations of the 1990s and 2000s, could be mainly attributed to the following forces: (i) migration of leaf rust urediniospores from neighbouring regions; and (ii) selection pressure of new yellow rust‐resistant wheat cultivars that have been introduced into Israel since 1997. Genetic multiplicity of wild emmer contributes to P. triticina variability in Israel. Leaf rust populations collected from common wheat, wild emmer and durum wheat differed. The population that originated from T. durum was rather stable during the years of the survey, whereas that from T. aestivum changed significantly from the 1990s to the 2000s. Diversity within the annual populations of P. triticina was highest in 1994 when many new pathotypes and associations between virulences were observed. Single‐step derivatives of the new pathotypes became dominant after 2000. Significant changes in virulence frequency to a number of Lr genes (e.g. Lr2a, Lr15, Lr17, Lr21, Lr26) were also registered in 2000–2008.     

Support for a stepwise mutation model for pathogen evolution in Australasian Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici by use of molecular markers

Since its initial detection in Australia in 1979, wheat yellow (stripe) rust ( Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici ) has evolved in Australia and New Zealand into more than 20 pathotypes with assorted virulence characteristics. This evolution is believed to have occurred in a stepwise fashion from an original single pathotype, with no subsequent new introductions. A combination of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) was used to examine the level of molecular variation in Australian and New Zealand isolates, and to compare this with variation amongst other isolates of P. striiformis . Using 60 RAPD primers on seven Australian isolates representing seven different pathotypes collected between 1979 and 1991, more than 300 potentially polymorphic loci were analysed and no polymorphisms were detected. Using the same primers on two UK isolates, 3% of loci showed a polymorphism. A similar level of polymorphism was found between UK isolates using AFLP primers, and between 5 and 15% of fragments were polymorphic between an isolate from the UK, an isolate from Denmark, and one from Colombia. However, no AFLP polymorphisms were found amongst 14 Australian and New Zealand isolates tested, at over 100 potentially polymorphic loci. The lack of molecular variation in the Australian and New Zealand collection is consistent with the stepwise mutation theory of pathotype evolution from a single introduction.     

Early detection of Neophysopella tropicalis in grapevine leaves and on spore traps by qPCR

Neophysopella tropicalis, one of the causal agents of Asian grapevine leaf rust (AGLR), can cause severe epidemics in Brazil that lead to yield losses in commercial vineyards. An early detection of the pathogen by air sampling of urediniospores on spore traps or in symptomless leaves would be valuable to multiple studies, such as epidemics modelling, risk forecasting, monitoring of pathogen introductions in rust-free areas, and predicting the beginning of epidemics. This study developed a quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocol to quantify N. tropicalis urediniospores attached to adhesive tapes and in grapevine leaves before symptom appearance. A specific primer pair was designed based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence region of the AGLR pathogen. Standard amplification curves using genomic DNA from urediniospores of N. tropicalis and from urediniospores attached to adhesive tapes were established. Grapevine leaves inoculated with N. tropicalis were collected at 2, 5, and 7 days postinoculation (dpi). One primer pair (580F/720R) amplified a 140 bp product in all AGLR isolates but did not amplify products of other rust genera, such as Phakopsora, Puccinia, Hemileia, Tranzschelia, Cerotelium, and Coleosporium. As little as 0.1 pg DNA and 10 urediniospores of N. tropicalis attached to adhesive tapes could be detected. qPCR enabled the detection of the pathogen as early as 2 dpi, before symptom appearance. This method can be used to monitor N. tropicalis inoculum in grapevine-growing areas and to quantify symptomless infections of the AGLR pathogen.     

Endophytic fungi in the invasive weed Impatiens glandulifera: a barrier to classical biological control?

The rust fungus, Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae, has been introduced into the UK for biological control of the invasive weed, Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam). However, establishment of the pathogen has differed across the country, which may be partly explained by variation in plant genotype. The aim of this study was to examine whether there is a further layer of phenotypic resistance, provided by indigenous foliar endophytic fungi. Culturable endophytes were isolated from a number of different balsam populations, and the commonest species were inoculated into ‘clean’ balsam plants, to test their interactions with the rust. We found that endophyte communities within balsam are low in diversity and become more dissimilar with increasing distance between populations. Three endophytes (Colletotrichum acutatum, Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium oxysporum) were common and appeared to be antagonistic to the rust, reducing pustule number and mitigating the effect of the pathogen on plant biomass. I. glandulifera thus partially conforms to the endophyte-enemy release hypothesis, in that as an introduced species, it has an impoverished endophyte complement, acquired from the local environment. However, these endophytes represent a potential barrier to effective biological control and future weed control strategies need to find strains of rust that can overcome plant genetic resistance and the overlaying phenotypic resistance, conferred by endophytes. Future classical biological control programmes of weeds must therefore take into account the fungal bodyguards that invasive species may acquire in their introduced ranges.     

小麦条锈菌鉴别寄主和小种命名现状

 中国是世界上小麦条锈病最大的流行区之一,也是限制中国小麦生产的最严重病害之一,特别是当条件适于其发生时会造成巨大的产量损失.小麦条锈菌小种生理专化性研究及小种监测是掌握小麦条锈菌及其毒性变化动态、抗病基因有效性及病害流行预测预报的重要依据,是治理由此病原菌引起的小麦条锈病的基本环节之一.由于地域、条锈菌群体结构、研究水平和历史等的差异,目前国际上不同国家和地区采用相应的小麦条锈菌鉴别寄主和小种命名方法.中国、美国和印度均使用了各自不同的小麦条锈菌鉴别寄主,并采用了相应的小种命名体系,例如从1957至2002年,中国利用10多个鉴别寄主已鉴定和命名了32个小种和30多个致病类型,美国利用10多个鉴别寄主已鉴定和命名了80个小种;另一类是采用1972年Johnson提出的二进制国际小种命名法,这种体系包括了国际鉴别寄主和欧洲鉴别寄主,象一套鉴别寄主被整体使用,欧洲、中东、亚洲、非洲和南美国家及澳大利亚和新西兰均采用此体系监测小麦条锈菌变化,是一套被最为广泛接受和使用的小麦条锈菌小种鉴别方法和命名系统,但随着研究深入和各国实际情况差异等原因,不同研究人员加入了不同的辅助鉴别寄主,以更能准确和实际地反映本国和地区的现实情况,为生产服务,本文对此现状进行了分析和比较.由于此病菌具有长距离气传和扩散的特点(地区间、国家间和洲际间),因而也讨论了未来小麦条锈菌鉴别寄主组成、小种命名方法和研究结果的交流和比较等实际问题.     

Development and validation of a quantitative PCR assay method of assessing relative resistance of oat (Avena sativa) to crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae)

Evaluation of oat crown rust resistance is usually based on visual assessment of disease severity or infection types. Visual assessment is subjective, prone to rater bias and requires expert knowledge. PCR-based quantitative assays can overcome challenges associated with visual assessment. New TaqMan primers and probes were designed from Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca) sequences. The primer–probe sets were specific to Pca, amplified using as little as 0.5 pg fungal DNA (fDNA) and allowed for scaling to variation in sample total DNA quantity. The quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was validated using oat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the Provena × 94197A1-9-2-2-2-5 cross evaluated under a controlled environment. For comparison with fDNA load, inoculation with the Pca race LCBB provided segregation data on the hypersensitive response, while Pca race LSLG provided data on segregation for reduced pustule number. fDNA content was positively correlated with both pustule number and infection type (IT). Composite interval mapping identified two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on oat linkage groups Mrg12 and Mrg20 using visual and qPCR assessments (pustule number, IT and fDNA). In this study a qPCR assay method that can be used to assess the relative resistance of oat to crown rust was refined and validated, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) closely linked with two QTLs derived from the crown rust resistant line 94197A1-9-2-2-2-5 were identified.     

Formation of satellite uredinia as an important trait related to grapevine colonization by Phakopsora meliosmae-myrianthae

Phakopsora meliosmae-myrianthae, the causal agent of Asian grapevine leaf rust, significantly reduces the photosynthetic efficiency of grapevine leaves in green symptomless tissues surrounding lesions. This study took a close look at grapevine leaf colonization kinetics by P. meliosmae-myrianthae and compared it to P. pachyrhizi–soybean and Uromyces appendiculatus–bean colonization. It is already known from the literature that soybean rust, similar to grapevine rust, has a negative effect on leaf photosynthesis greater than would be expected based on visual lesions. However, in contrast to soybean and grapevine rusts, the effect of bean rust on leaf photosynthesis is proportional to the diseased leaf area. Colonization progress was monitored by fungal biomass assessed via histological staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Individual lesions of P. meliosmae-myrianthae on grapevine, P. pachyrhizi on soybean and U. appendiculatus on common bean leaves were evaluated every 3–4 days, and the number of uredinia was counted. Staining showed that mycelial colonization did not extend beyond the lesion border. The number of P. pachyrhizi and P. meliosmae-myrianthae uredinia within the lesions increased over time (on average 14-fold), whereas the number of U. appendiculatus uredinia remained the same. These findings were corroborated by qPCR, which revealed a greater increase in fungal biomass for Phakopsora spp. than for U. appendiculatus until 12 days post-inoculation. The high number of satellite uredinia within lesions might be directly related to the impact of this pathogen in photosynthetic efficiency on symptomless areas of diseased grapevine leaves. This study identified accelerated formation of satellite uredinia as an important feature of grapevine colonization by P. meliosmae-myrianthae.     

白及锈病的病原鉴定及其田间防治药剂筛选

随着对白及需求的增加, 其人工种植规模不断扩大, 病害也逐年加重?白及锈病常年在种植区发生, 传播能力强, 是生产上危害严重的病害之一?本文对采集自湖北恩施来凤县的白及锈病材料进行显微观察, 发现了该病原菌的夏孢子和冬孢子, 并进行了详尽的形态描述, 同时基于夏孢子的ITS和LSU基因序列构建了系统发育树?结果表明, 该病原为Coleosporium bletiae?此外, 选择5种常见药剂对该病进行田间防效试验, 结果表明, 250 g/L吡唑醚菌酯EC和12%萎锈灵WP的防效最佳, 第2次施药后14 d, 其防效分别可达(90.01±0.64)%和(87.80±0.61)%?本研究结果为白及锈病病原学及其田间防治提供了重要的理论依据?     

Genetic diversity of Phytophthora pluvialis,a pathogen of conifers,in New Zealand and the west coast of the United States of America

Phytophthora pluvialis is the causal agent of red needle cast on Pinus radiata in New Zealand. It was first isolated in 2008 but had previously been recovered from tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) and Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees in Oregon, USA in 2002. Phytophthora pluvialis was subsequently described as a new species in 2013 and classified as a clade III Phytophthora species. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the genetic diversity, population structure and origin of this pathogen. A total of 360 P. pluvialis isolates were collected from the USA and New Zealand. The genome sequences of two P. pluvialis isolates were used to identify 27 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that were then used to genotype the two populations. The genotypic data showed that the USA population of P. pluvialis had twice the genetic diversity and a greater number of multilocus genotypes (MLGs) compared to the New Zealand population, with 126 and 24 MLGs, respectively. The majority of the subpopulations within the USA and New Zealand showed linkage disequilibrium. All subpopulations had a negative fixation index, indicating that clonal reproduction is prevalent in both countries. A minimum spanning network (MSN) showed two unique clusters of isolates in the New Zealand population, suggesting two potential introductions of P. pluvialis into New Zealand from the USA. There was no significant structure within the New Zealand or USA populations. This study provides novel insight into the genetic structure of P. pluvialis in New Zealand and the USA.     

Breeding cereals for rust resistance in Australia

Rust diseases have caused significant losses to Australian cereal crops, and continue to pose a serious threat. Because Australian cereal crop yields are generally low, genetic resistance remains the most economical means of rust control. Resistant cultivars also contribute significantly to reducing over-summer rust survival. A policy of releasing only rust resistant wheats in northern New South Wales and Queensland has resulted in industry-wide protection from rust in this region for the past 40 years. The Australian Cereal Rust Control Program conducts annual pathogenicity surveys for all cereal rust pathogens, undertakes genetic research to identify and characterize new sources of resistance, and provides a germplasm screening and enhancement service to all Australian cereal breeding groups. These three activities are interdependent, and are closely integrated with particular emphasis on linking pathology and genetics to ensure breeding outcomes. Recent changes in the wheat rust pathogens, including the development of virulences for Yr17 , Lr24 , Lr37 and Sr38 resistance genes, and the introduction of a new pathotype of the wheat stripe rust pathogen, have provided new and significant challenges for wheat rust resistance breeding. Similar challenges exist in breeding barley and oats for rust resistance. Examples are discussed to illustrate the ways in which rust isolates are providing information that can be used in breeding for rust resistance. In future, as more markers linked to durable rust resistance sources become available, it is likely that the use of marker-assisted selection will become more common-place in rust resistance breeding.