Prevalence of foliar blight pathogens attacking wheat in Shivalik foothills and significance of sowing dates for its management.

摘要

The prevalence and distribution of wheat foliar blight pathogens in Shivalik foothill region of Jammu and Kashmir (India) and the effect of sowing dates on disease severity were analysed for four rabi seasons from 2001-02 to 2004-05. Helminthosporium sativum [Cochliobolus sativus], Alternaria triticina, H. spicifer [C. spicifer] and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis were frequently isolated, with an average frequency of 66.87, 23.65, 3.97 and 3.50%, respectively. The highest frequency of isolation for these pathogens was 72 (Rajouri), 26.5 (Jourian, Doda and Bhaderwah), 5.5 (Akhnoor) and 4.5 (Kathua and Katra), respectively. Setosphaeria halodes and H. bicolor were occasionally found. Early sowing (25 October) was found to be significantly most effective in reducing the disease severity, whereas 14 November sowing recorded the maximum grain yields.