White rust survey

 

 

The first thing to do is to keep an eye for the pathogen. Albugo candida is recognisable by the white thick powder it generates on the leaves (more often) but also on the stem and the fruits of the plants. An infected individual can have only a few white spots (top photo), larger white spots with blisters (mid photo) or, when heavily infected, it can have spots on the stem, be swollen and/or twisted (bottom photo). [You can find more photos of infections here.]

It affects a lot of species and you can find a list of the host plants here. It seems to be very common on:

• Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd's purse)

• Aubrieta deltoidea (cultivated, garden escape)

• Raphanus raphanistrum/sativus (Wild/Cultivated radish)

• Alyssum saxatile (cultivated, garden escape)

• Sinapis alba (White mustard)

• Lunaria annua and rediviva (Annual and perennial honesty)

• Sisymbrium officinale (Hedge mustard)

• Diplotaxis muralis (Annual wall-rocket)

When you have seen one (or several) suspicious plant(s), you will need to collect the leaves and/or the infected parts of the plant(s). To do so, either put them in a letter and send to:

Agathe Jouet

The Sainsbury Lab

Norwich Research Park,

Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.

 

You can also put in a plastic tube so that it keeps fresh for longer (recommended).

It is important to note that the above only applies if you are in the European Union. If you are elsewhere, you can contact me directly using the following form.

 

If you cannot sample yourself, I will still be very happy if you let me know by entering your observation here.