PJB-2005-116
PREVALENCE AND DISEASE INCIDENCE OF FOLIAR BLIGHT OF WHEAT IN RICE WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM OF PUNJAB
SHAZIA IRAM AND IFTIKHAR AHMAD
Abstract
Foliar blight is a major biotic constraint to wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plains of south Asia, particularly in the rice-wheat system .The disease occurs as a complex of spot blotch and tan spot caused by Cochliobolus sativus and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, respectively. A survey was conducted for the assessment of foliar blight of wheat in main rice-wheat cropping areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Foliar samples were collected at the maturity stage of wheat crop from 20 key locations of 4 districts viz., Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Narowal. The foliar fungi were isolated using blotter method. Prevalence of foliar blight was 100% in the four surveyed districts Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Narowal and Sialkot. From leaf samples, Alternaria alternata, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Stemphylium spp., and Cladosporium spp., were isolated. Foliar blight was more prevalent fungal disease and it could not be differentiated from spot blotch, tan spot and alternaria blight but was confirmed in laboratory after the isolation of fungi. The source of primary inoculum in rice-wheat systems are still not well documented but indications suggest that seed may play an important role in disease transmission. Seed treatment may prove useful as a part of an integrated disease management approach based on improved resistance and good agronomy.
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