Based on the pustule size, a rating scale was developed for evaluation of rust severity in inoculated seedlings of Eucalyptus sp. as follow: S0 = immunity or hypersensitive reaction, with necrosis or fleck; S1 = small pustules, < 0.8 mm diameter; S2 = medium sized pustules, from 0.8 to 1.6 mm diameter and S3 = large pustules, > 1.6 mm diameter. This scale was checked in a segregant progeny of E. grandis by using the RAPD AT9/917 marker, tightly linked to a rust resistance locus. Only plants classified as S0 and S1 had the RAPD marker and were considered resistant. The error in the classification of resistant and susceptible plants was low (8%). The use of this scale allowed a very fast and accurate screening of rust resistant genotypes.
