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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Todd Layt

Todd Layt is a renowned plant and turf breeder, researcher, and marketer with a passion for developing high-quality landscape plants and turf that are tough, resilient, and sustainable.

Over the years, Todd has established himself as an industry leader and has built an impressive portfolio of over 60 different plant varieties, many of which are now selling in large numbers across the globe.

Testing Plants for Myrtle Rust Resistance