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Disease Detection and Losses

Identification of Salt Spray Injury to Pinus species with Scanning Electron Microscopy. C. R. Krause, Research Plant Pathologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nursery Crops Research Laboratory, Delaware, OH 43015; Phytopathology 72:382-386. Accepted for publication 24 June 1981. 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, 1982. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-72-382.

Studies were conducted to determine whether surface changes induced by NaCl spray could be detected with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and whether these changes varied between Pinus aristata and P. parviflora. SEM revealed that, in contrast to control plants, salt-sprayed needles were injured, showing coalesced wax and flaccid subsidiary cells. Apparently, salt injury to pines can be seen by SEM examination before macroscopic symptoms are expressed.