Patterns of variation in blister rust resistance in sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana)

Abstract

White pines exhibit both qualitative and quantitative resistance to white pine blister rust, which is caused by the fungal pathogen Cronartium ribicola (Sniezko et al. 2014). Species from several western U.S. States have a major gene at low frequencies that confers virtual immunity to the disease; and most also show heritable quantitative variation in infection frequency, as well as the ability to abort or heal infections that do occur (Kinloch et al. 2012). Here, we summarize extensive data from different tests, some previously published, showing the magnitude and pattern of variation in both mechanisms throughout the geographic range of sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana). We then discuss how this variation could be developed and deployed to effect durable resistance in synthetic populations of this ecologically and commercially important species.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the IUFRO joint conference: Genetics of five-needle pines, rusts of forest trees, and Strobusphere; 2014 June 15–20; Fort Collins, CO

Citation

Kinloch, Bohun B., Jr.; Sniezko, Richard A.; Savin, Douglas P.; Danchok, Robert; Kegley, Angelia; Burton, Deems; Dunlap, Joan. 2018. Patterns of variation in blister rust resistance in sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana). In: Schoettle, Anna W.; Sniezko, Richard A.; Kliejunas, John T., eds. Proceedings of the IUFRO joint conference: Genetics of five-needle pines, rusts of forest trees, and Strobusphere; 2014 June 15-20; Fort Collins, CO. Proc. RMRS-P-76. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 124-128.