Number of spore stages in Puccinia is

Options

A. five
B. four
C. three
D. two

Answer

To determine the number of spore stages in Puccinia, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Organism**: The question refers to Puccinia, specifically Puccinia graminis, which is a well-known fungus that causes stem rust in plants.

2. **Understand the Life Cycle**: Puccinia graminis has a complex life cycle that includes multiple spore stages. It is classified as a macrocyclic fungus, which means it produces several types of spores.

3. **List the Spore Stages**: The five spore stages produced by Puccinia graminis are:
- **Pycniospores (Spermatia)**: These are the first stage and are involved in the sexual reproduction of the fungus.
- **Basidiospores**: The second stage, which is also involved in sexual reproduction.
- **Aeciospores**: The third stage, which is produced on the alternate host.
- **Urediniospores (Uridiospores)**: The fourth stage, which allows for repeated infections on the primary host.
- **Teliospores**: The fifth and final stage, which is involved in the overwintering of the fungus.

4. **Count the Stages**: After listing all the spore stages, we find that there are a total of five distinct spore stages in Puccinia graminis.

5. **Select the Correct Option**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer to the question is that Puccinia graminis has **five spore stages**.

### Final Answer:
The number of spore stages in Puccinia is **5**.

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