Ekspresowa Analiza Zagrożenia Agrofagiem: Melampsora farlowii

Melampsora farlowii (syn. Chrysomyxa farlowii Saccardo & Traverso, Necium farlowii J.C. Arthur) is the causal agent of Christmas tree rust, included in the kingdom of fungi. M. farlowii infests plants of the genus Tsuga sp. (Christmas tree). Among the most endangered species found in the PRA area are Tsuga canadiensis (Canadian Christmas tree), Tsuga caroliniana (Carolinian Christmas tree), Tsuga heterophylla (Western Christmas tree), Tsuga mertensiana (Martens' Christmas tree). There are no known cases of the disease on other host plant species. The necessary conditions for the development of Christmas tree rust are cool (10°-18°C) and humid weather (the occurrence of at least 10 hours of rainfall). These are optimal conditions for both the development of teliospores and basidiospores. Climatic conditions and the topographical layout of Poland allow the disease to develop on host plants when the pathogen occurs in the PRA area. Due to the need for plant fragments or soil containing teliospores or basidiospores of the culprit to reach the PRA area, as well as the lack of presence of the agrophage in countries neighboring the PRA area, the assessment of the risk of occurrence is low.