Forewarning of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) of wheat in central zone of Punjab

Abstract

Wheat crop is attacked by number of diseases some of which cause yield losses and deteriorates quality. Rust pathogens are most important pathogens of wheat which can cause considerable economic losses if uncontrolled. Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is an important wheat disease common in wheat growing areas experiencing cold and humid weather conditions during the crop season. Different meteorological parameters influence occurrence and development of stripe rust in northern India including Punjab. Based on investigations on relationship of stripe rust with weather parameters, weather based prediction model for stripe rust was developed using disease severity and weather data (2007-08 to 2018-19) recorded at Ludhiana. The data of 2009-10 and 2019-20 was used for validation of model. Regression model based on maximum and minimum temperature, morning relative humidity and sunshine hours gave good results. Validation of model indicated that relationship between observed values of disease and predicted values was very close.

Keywords

• Wheat,
• stripe rust
• meteorological parameters
• regression model
• validation