Rusts - GCSE Biology Definition

Rusts are plant diseases caused by certain fungi that mainly affect leaves and stems. These fungi produce powdery, rust-coloured spores, which give the disease its name. Rust infections can weaken plants and reduce their ability to grow, photosynthesise, or produce flowers and seeds. They commonly affect crops such as wheat and barley, posing a significant problem for farmers. The fungi that cause rusts often need two different types of host plants to complete their life cycle, which makes them challenging to control. In GCSE Biology, rusts are an example of how pathogens can affect plant health and why disease management is important for protecting food production.