Rust: what it is, how it originates, and how to eliminate it effectively

Uromyces betae is a fungus that causes rust in beet, belonging to the Pucciniaceae family. This pathogen has a complex life that includes several stages and types of spores. The cycle begins with the germination of teliospore spores under favorable conditions of humidity and temperature, producing basidia and basidiospores that infect the host. Subsequently, urediniospore spores form, which are responsible for the rapid spread of the disease during the growing season. These spores can reinfect beet leaves multiple times, creating new lesions. In the last stage, teliospores are produced that survive in plant remains and in the soil during the winter, guaranteeing the perpetuation of the fungus until the next growing season. These resistant spores can tolerate adverse conditions, such as cold temperatures and drought, facilitating their dispersal and persistence in the agricultural environment.