Assessment of the potential of Norway-spruce-seed-orchard associated plants to serve as alternate hosts of <i>Thekopsora areolata</i>

The alternate host range of cherry-spruce rust is poorly studied although such information could be important in protecting spruce seed orchards from infections. Pathogenicity rust, (Fr.) Magnus, was investigated on potential species a greenhouse and laboratory Finland. Five common Ericaceae, L., L. (L.) Spreng, were inoculated the using aeciospores seven Norway [ H. Karst.] suffering 2018. In addition, young detached leaves spp. 17 other plant ground vegetation eight with six 2019. Also, trees growing within or close to them as controls. None hosts formed uredinia either laboratory. contrast, infected by spore sources produced uredinia. As spores able infect only , but not tested belonging flora, it concluded that disperses via Finnish orchards.Thekopsora areolataVaccinium myrtillusV. uliginosumV. vitis-idaeaEmpetrum nigrumArctostaphylos uva-ursiPicea abiesT. areolataVacciniumPrunus padusP. padusT. areolataP. areolataPrunus