PJB-2017-141
DETECTION OF SEED-BORNE MYCOFLORA ASSOCIATED WITH WHEAT VARITIES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN DISTRICT BHIMBER AZAD KASHMIR, PAKISTAN
TANVEER HUSSAIN, MUHAMMAD ISHTIAQ, SHEHZAD AZAM, MEHWISH MAQBOOL AND WAHEEDA MUSHTAQ
Abstract
Pakistan is very fertile for wheat production but there are problems of yield loss, low grain quality and substandard fodder. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is invaded by several fungal pathogens; many of them are seed-borne. In current study, 29 different seed-borne pathogens were isolated from eight wheat varieties of district Bhimber Azad Kashmir during the years 2014 and 2015. Mycoflora was explored by using Agar plate method (APM), standard blotter method (SBM), washing method (WM) and deep freeze blotter method (DFBM). Deep freezing method showed better results among all protocols. Tilletia tritici (87.5%) and Cladosporium herbarum (87.5%) were more prevalent fungal pathogens on the most wheat varieties. Susceptibility analysis depicted that varieties Fareed-2006, Seher-2006, Lasani-2008 and Millat-2011are most vulnerable for fungal attack and not suitable for growth in this study area. Wheat varieties V4 (Faisalabad- 2008), V7 (Punjab-2011) and V8 (Galaxy-2013) showed least prevalence and these three wheat varieties are cultivated dominantly in the study area. For control measures two chemical and biological methods were used. In chemical protocol fungicides Benlate (56.84%) and Thiabendazole (58.44%) showed good fungal control. In biological treatment, applying plant extracts showed better germination rates (79.5A, 81.6A and 78.2A) in study area in comparison with other treatments. Fungicide treatments also gave better germination rate (77.3A), but are not recommended due to their detrimental and toxic impacts on environment and human health. This study recommends that biocontrol method for elimination of seed mycoflora which is ecofriendly, less costly and easily to handle. It depicts that seed-borne diseases severely affect the biomass and gains quality and quantity of wheat crop. As conclusion wheat variety Galaxy-2013 (0.7EF) showed maximum resistance to seed mycoflora hence it is recommended as the best variety for cultivation in the study area
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