Nashir S. El-Ariqi, Mohammad S. Al-Samea’e and Mahmoud A. El-Moflehi
During the study of the susceptibility of Ashwagandha plants (Withania somnifera)
to infection with yellow rust disease (general appearance of the disease) from 15 July to 31
December, 2005, in the garden of Sana’a University, Yemen, we showed that Ashwagandha plants
were highly sensitive to the causative of the disease. The disease symptoms developed rapidly in
a period of one month only (2-30 August 2005). The rapid development of the disease was related
to rainfall season and moderate temperatures. Our results indicated the increase of the number of
pustules and spores cups, which appeared on the different plant parts (leaves, flowers and stems)
during the observation period. Aeciospores were yellow color and uredospores were orange to
pale brown color, spherical to elliptical in shape with short uredophore and 22.5 × 28.8 μm in
dimension. Teliospores were pale or dark brown color, 28.8 × 39.5 μm in dimension and elliptical
with two cells and septum in between. The upper cell slightly constrict with circular top and the
bottom cell is barrel shape with short teliophore. It is clear from our data that this fungus follows
Puccinia genus. Furthemore, our results showed that aeciospores, uredospores and teliospores
of yellow rust disease all appeared on Ashwagandha plants, Withania somnifera, and that the
causative is Puccinia withaniae.