Effect of Temperature on Urediniospore Production and Germinability in Puccinia arachidis

Effect of temperature on urediniospore production in Puccinia arachidis was investigated under monocyclic infection using detached leaves of the susceptible peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivar TMV 2. Urediniospores produced at different temperatures were also examined for their germinability in vitro. The optimal temperature for urediniospore production was at about 20 and 25 C. Temperatures below 20 C or above 30 C were highly detrimental to urediniospore production. There were also marked differences in the percent germination of urediniospores produced at different temperatures. Urediniospores produced at 20 and 25 C showed the highest germination percentages. The interaction of temperature with urediniospore production and germinability is important in understanding the development of peanut rust epidemics