Effect of yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) and its management on yield and yield components of bread wheat

Abstract

Field trials were conducted to evaluate wheat varieties and fungicides against yellow rust of wheat. Four wheat varieties (Digalu, Hidase, Danda’a, Honkolo) and two fungicides (Nativo SC 300, Tilt 250EC) were tested at two hotspot areas (Albazar and Alicho) of Southern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Nativo SC 300 resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) grain yield increment of 51%, 178.4% and 528.5% at Albazar and 85%, 206.1% and 586.2% at Alicho on the treated plot of Danda’a, Hidase and Digalu, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between disease parameters and grain yield. Based on cost-benefit analysis, application of fungicides was cost effective in controlling the disease. The resistant variety Honkolo and Nativo SC 300 can be used for management of yellow rust and improve yield of wheat.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Fungicides
• wheat variety
• grain yield
• yellow rust

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to offer a great thanks to Werabe Agricultural Research Center (WARC) for giving the research site, logistic support, and facilitation for the field experiments. They also wish to express their sincere thanks to all staff of plant pathology and food and nutritional laboratory of Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center (KARC) for their valuable encouragement and technical support during the whole period of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was fully supported by Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI).