The Ins and Outs of Rust Haustoria

Rust diseases caused by fungi of the order Pucciniales afflict a range of plants, including cereals, legumes, ornamentals, and trees, and pose a serious threat to cropping systems and global security. The obligate parasitic lifestyle of these fungi and complex life cycles, often involving alternate hosts for the and asexual stages, also make this group of pathogens of biological interest. One of the most remarkable adaptations rust fungi is the specialized infection structure that underpins sustained biotrophic association with hosts; the haustorium.