Management of yellow rust in wheat
- 1. Introduction Yellow rust of wheat (Triticum aestivum, T. durum, T. dicoccum) and Triticale caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. is one of the important diseases of wheat in India. In North Indian states it spreads quite fast due to favourable temperature and moisture prevailing in these states during major part of crop growth (November-mid March). In spite of favourable weather, proactive survey and surveillance and advisories issued in time resulted successful management of yellow rust in India during past four decades. Even large scale cultivation of varieties like HD 2967 in about 12 million ha past two years could not result any losses. Materials and Methods The spots getting initial foci near foot hills in Punjab have been identified and are monitored regularly (Fig. 1). Any sign of yellow rust is controlled effectively with the foliar sprays of fungicides like propiconazole @ 0.1%. Use of mobiles phones and internet services is regularly done for transfer of information on wheat crop health and suggesting the proper management. Strategic planning and sowing of wheat in which newly released high yielding yellow rust varieties helped in reducing the yellow rust inoculum build up. Regular monitoring of wheat health vis a vis weather forecast after every fortnight from December to March. The entries of wheat and Triticale of yield trials (Station trials, National initial varietal trial, Advanced varietal trial) were evaluated under artificially inoculated conditions at hot spot locations (Jammu, Daulakuan, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Karnal, Hisar, New Delhi, Durgapura and Pantnagar). The entries having average coefficient of infection (ACI) up to 15 were promoted in yield trials and identified for release as varieties. The seedling resistant tests were done against major pathotypes of yellow rust at IIWBR Rs Flowerdale Shimla. The genotypes showed consistent resistant score limit of ACI 10 for four crop season were shared with wheat and Triticale breeders art 32 centres along with passport data for their use in breeding for yellow rust resistance. Plant Pathological Screening Nursery (Entries: 1156 Nos.) Pathological Screening Nursery (Entries: 409 Nos.) Elite Pathological Screening Nursery (Entries: 51 Nos.) The flow of material in yield trials (2017-19 crop season) Results During 2016-17 crop season, yellow rust was effectively managed and its occurrence was delayed in Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand states. Two new pathotypes, 110S 119 and 110S 84 developed recently were used for evaluation of entries of wheat yield trials during 2016-17 at hot spot locations. The new varieties in pipe line of identification and release are tested against yellow rust. The most critical period for yellow rust management remained from December till mid February. Discussion The occurrence of new pathotypes of yellow rust is a major cause of worry to successful wheat cultivation in North Indian states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan (13.59 million ha). The early occurrence of yellow rust in the month of December may cause complete failure in Punjab, parts of Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jammu and plains of Himachal Pradesh. So far the strategy to test new varieties in pipeline for release and early replacement of susceptible varieties, cultivation of 5-6 numbers of varieties in a village and district has kept the disease under control and avoided epidemics in India. The deployment of resistance have saved at least 5% yield losses (2.678 million tons) thus generated a profit of Indian ₹ 49933 millions (4993 crores) annually. Crop year Date of first appearance of yellow rust 2011-12 28th December, 2011 2012-13 9th January, 2013 2013-14 6th January, 2014 2014-15 23rd December, 2014 2015-16 18th December, 2015 2016-17 30th December, 2016 2017-18 9th January, 2018 Status and strategies for averting the threat of yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend.) in North Indian states D. P. Singh*, Sudheer Kumar, P.L. Kashyap and Gyanendra Pratap Singh ICAR- Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research, Karnal 132 001, India *Devendra.Singh@icar.gov.in Variety Yellow rust resistant genes Agro climatic zone HD 2967 Yr2+ North Western Plains Zone HD 3086 Yr2+ DBW 88 YrA+ WH 1105 Yr2+ DBW 173 Yr9+A+ Northern Hills Zone HPW 251 Yr9+ HS 542 Yr2+ VL 829 Yr9+18+ Yellow rust resistant genes in popular cultivars First occurrence of yellow rust in North Western Plain Zones in India over years Yellow rust spread path in India (Courtesy Dr. Jaspal) Acknowledgement Thanks To Indian Council of Agricultural Research for facilities provided and organizers (BGRI, Cornell university, ICARDA and Satguru consultants) for facilitating participation in BGRI 1018 Technical Workshop.