Studies on white rust of mustard incited by Albugo candida

Rapeseed-mustard group of crops are the major rabi oilseed crops of India. The group is mainly constituted by Brassica rape (Syn. B. compestries L),B. napus L., B. juncia (L).Czern and Coss and B. carinata Braun). The oil content in the species of the group varies from 28.6 to 45.7 per cent.Among the four species B. juncea which is commonly known as Indian mustard is the most important oilseed crop of the country. The area, production and productivity of rapeseed-mustard in the country was 7.06 million ha, 7.23 million tonnes and 1025 kg/ha, respectively (Anon 2016-17). Major mustard growing states of the country are Rajasthan, Haryana Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. B. junceais the most important oilseed crop of Northern Madhya Pradesh comprising Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Sheopur and Datia districts contributing more than 75% share in the production of this crop in the state.