Albugo tragopogonib (DC) S. F. Grey causes white blister rust, a disease restricted to leaves of sunflower. Oospores of A. tragopogords have, howeveç been associated with grey âreas on stems, petioles, and receptacles of sunflowers in Australia and Argentina. During tnê past two growing seasons, sunflower plantings in South Africa were subjected to early lodging. Disease Patterns and symptoms were studied in the field and in the laboratory. Sruisàlilè lesions occurred on stems of sunflower, which usually resulted in stem breakage. These lesions were heavily colonized by oospores of A. tragopogonir infection appeared to occur from the axils of lower leaves, and resulted in stem-breâkage during head expansion. Early lodging was recorded over a large geographical area, with losses as high as 80% in certain fields. Systemic infections with A. tragopogonis have also been observed, but are limited to a few plants.