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Testing Plants for Myrtle Rust Resistance

Below is a table of results from tests completed in association with The University of Sydney. The test was undertaken to determine the Myrtle Rust resistance of different plant and tree varieties. Testing was conducted by Dr. Karanjeet Sandhu, a Myrtle Rust Pathologist from the
Plant Breeding Institute, Faculty of Agriculture & Environment
from The University of Sydney.

Competitor and common Callistemon varietifes were tested April 2013 and found to be susceptible to Myrtle Rust. This shows that our new and improved Callistemon varieties are tough and are either Moderately or Highly resistant to Myrtle Rust.

Myrtle Rust Result Interpretation

Note: This is a simplified version of the results table.

NOTE FOR QLD AND NORTHERN NSW: Myrtle Rust is more severe in these areas because of climatic conditions. Therefore we recommend only using the plants listed as resistant or highly resistant in Queensland and Northern NSW. Plants listed as moderately resistant would be classed susceptible in Queensland and Northern NSW. For Sydney and south Myrtle Rust isn’t as severe and based on these tests the moderately resistant plants can be used.

Common name Botanical Name Notes Myrtle Rust Status
Callistemon Sample 1 Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Callistemon Sample 2 Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Callistemon Sample 3 Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Callistemon Sample 4 Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Callistemon Sample 5 Small pustules without any chlorosis/necrosis and low in frequency Moderately Susceptible
Callistemon Sample 6 Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Red Alert™ Callistemon viminalis Restricted pustule/dark gray surrounding/Necrosis Moderately Resistant
Slim™ Callistemon viminalis No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
Floraburst™ Callistemon viminalis No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
Better John™ Callistemon viminalis Restricted pustule/dark gray surrounding/Necrosis Moderately Resistant
Green John™ Callistemon viminalis No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
Macarthur™ Callistemon viminalis Mild hypersensitivity/Dark flecks Resistant
Scarlet Flame™ Callistemon viminalis Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Comon form Callistemon viminalis Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Kings Park Special Callistemon viminalis Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Captain Cook Callistemon viminalis Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Little John Callistemon viminalis Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Vintage Red™ Eucalyptus cladocalyx No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
Rivan™ Kunzea ambigua Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Luscious® Tristaniopsis laurina No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
Sweeper™ Waterhousea floribunda No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
Red Head™ Acmena smithii No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
Pinnacle™ Syzygium australe Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible
Sublime™ Acmena smithii No visible sign of infection Highly Resistant
CONTROL Syzygium jambos Fully developed pustules in abundance, on leaves, twigs and buds Highly Susceptible
CONTROL Eucalyptus grandis Fully developed pustules on leaves, low to high in frequency Susceptible

 

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