Plant Pathogenic Rust Fungi
Commercial Applications of Rusts
Rust fungi can be used as biocontrol agents due to their host specificity and ability to spread quickly. The European Blackberry is a weed in Australia and steps have been taken to control it by introducing blackberry rust. This rust (Phragmidium violaceum) was studied by the Keith Turnbull Research Institute in order to determine the host specificity of the fungus. Its macrocyclic life cycle involves 5 spore stages.
Source: Keith Turnbull Research Institute (1999)(K)
They found that the rust is specific to certain genotypes on blackberry,
but others are more resistant to it. Biological control of weeds is not a
failsafe method of eradicating weeds, but can be a useful too to help to control
the spread and density of weed infestations.