VIEW ARTICLE

Ecology and Epidemiology

Epidemiology and Host Morphology in the Parasitism of Rush Skeletonweed by Puccinia chondrillina. E. B. Adams, Area Extension Agent, N 222 Havana, Spokane, WA 99202; R. F. Line, Plant Pathologist, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164. Phytopathology 74:745-748. Accepted for publication 20 March 1984. 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, 1984. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-74-745.

Puccinia chondrillina was released in 1978 in the Spokane River Valley near Spokane, WA, in an attempt to control rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea). The pathogen spread 3, 5, and 10 km from the original release site by 1980, 1981, and 1982, respectively. About 5, 11, and 10% of the leaf and stem surfaces were covered by uredia in 1980, 1981, and 1982, respectively. The rust significantly reduced number of flowers, seed viability, and plant size each year but to date has not significantly reduced the population of rush skeletonweed.