Sphaeropsis sapinea
is an important pathogen for some
Pinus radiata
causing tip blight and death of
trees, in commercial plantings. This study was developed to select
Pinus radiata progenies resistant to
the pathogen, for new plantings in Brazil. Seedlings tips of 16
Pinus radiata progenies were inoculated
with three pathogen monosporic isolates of
Sphaeropsis sapinea, under greenhouse conditions. Lesions
length and tip blight degree were evaluated. Responses of progenies to the pathogen varied according to
tested isolate. The results indicated that early selection methodology was adequate to select
Pinus radiata
progenies resistant against
Sphaeropsis sapinea. Average heritability of the progenies varied according to
tested isolate and the selection criterion used.