VIEW ARTICLE

Correlation Between Artificial and Natural Inoculation of Loblolly Pine with Southern Fusiform Rust. O. O. Wells, Principal Plant Geneticist, Southern Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501; R. J. Dinus, Principal Plant Geneticist, Southern Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501. Phytopathology 64:760-761. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-64-760.

As indicated by field plantings in two geographic areas, relative rust resistance of five loblolly pine progenies was accurately predicted by artificial inoculations of 1-yr-old seedlings. Artificial inoculation of 6-wk-old seedlings of the same progenies resulted in such heavy infection that genetic differences were largely obscured. Control of inoculum density seems necessary if very young seedlings are to be used as predictors of field performance.