Reaction of Helianthus Species to Alternaria helianthi. J. B. Morris, Biological Technician, USDA, ARS, Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX 79012. S. M. Yang, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA, ARS, Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX 79012, and L. Wilson, Associate Professor, Plant Science Department, West Texas State University, Canyon 79016. Plant Dis. 67:539-540. Accepted for publication 15 November 1982. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1983. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-539.

Among the 21 annual and 37 perennial Helianthus taxa and a closely related annual taxon, Tithonia rotundifolia, tested for resistance to Alternaria helianthi in the greenhouse, only H. hirsutus, H. rigidus subsp. subrhomboideus, and H. tuberosus were moderately resistant. This resistance may be transferable to cultivated sunflower (H. annuus) by backcross breeding of the inbred lines with the resistant perennial species.