Incidence and Financial Impact of Fusiform Rust in the South

Abstract

Abstract Forest survey data show that more than 800 million slash and loblolly pines in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida have fusiform rust stem infections. The highest percentages of infection are in a zone across central Georgia. Slash pine plantations, which make up 44 percent of the total slash pine inventory, are heavily infected north of the species' natural range. However, infection rates are higher on loblolly than on slash pine in northern Florida. These incidence figures applied to the entire South indicate a stumpage loss to fusiform rust of $28 million in 1972.