Resistance to white pine blister rust in Pinus flexilis and P. aristata of the Southern Rockies - initial findings
| Authors: | Anna W. Schoettle, Richard A. Sniezko, Angelia Kegley, Jerry Hill, Kelly S. Burns |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Type: | Paper |
| Station: | Rocky Mountain Research Station |
| Source: | In: Adams, Judy; Jamieson, Carrie; Palacios, Patsy, comps. Proceedings of the 57th Annual Western International Forest Disease Work Conference; 2009 July 20-24; Durango, CO. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. p. 109-110. Online: http://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/wif/proceedings/WIFDWC2009.pdf |
Abstract
The non-native fungus Cronartium ribicola, that causes white pine blister rust (WPBR), is impacting or threatening limber pine, Pinus flexilis, and Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine, Pinus aristata. In the Southern Rockies, where the rust invasion is still expanding, we have the opportunity to be proactive and prepare the landscape for invasion. Genetic resistance to WPBR is essential to the future of pine populations given the lethality of the disease and its continued spread. Options for increasing the frequency of resistance in a stand includes (1) supplementing resistance by outplanting rust resistant stock and (2) stimulating natural regeneration to increase the numbers of individuals and genetic combinations for rust resistance selection (see Schoettle and Sniezko 2007).