Growth of Albugo candida infected mustard callus in culture.

A white rust infected leaf of Brassica juncea var. Varuna bearing non-erumpent zoosporangial blisters was used as explant to grow a dual culture of Albugo candida and Brassica juncea on MS medium supplemented with NAA (1.0 mg/L), BAP (1.0 mg/L), biotin (1.0 mg/L), ascorbic acid (25.0 mg/L), thiamin hydrochloride (1.0 mg/L), glycine (0.5 mg/L) and casein hydrolysate (1.0 mg/L). The host callus and the pathogen established a complete balance in culture. The morphology of the mycelium, haustoria, zoosporangia, antheridia, oogonia and oospores in dual culture was identical to that of infected intact plant. Oospore formation was favoured over that of sporangia. Oospore germination by germ-tube was evident. Pathogenicity test of the fungus in dual culture further confirmed the viability of the fungus. Rate of growth of dual culture was faster than normal callus. Although the fungus grew on the substratum for a short distance away from infected callus on the surface of the medium; it did not grow independently when connections with host callus was severed. Growth of dual culture was influenced by light quality, temperature, vitamins, carbohydrates and amino acids in the medium. These differential responses can be used for future studies on host pathogen interactions and for breeding of disease resistant plants.