Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization on Fusarium Foot and Root Rot and Yield of Durum Wheat

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of nitrogen fertilization on Fusarium foot and root rot. Disease index, percentage of white heads, grain yield, weight of 1000 grains and nitrogen content were evaluated in durum wheat after artificial inoculation with Fusarium culmorum under field conditions. The trial was conducted using Karim wheat cultivar during growing season 2016/17. Five nitrogen rates, 0, 50, 100,150 and 200 kg N/ha were evaluated. Nitrogen supply at higher rates (150 and 200 kg/ha) significantly increased disease index, the percentage of white heads, the grain yield, the weight of 1000 grains and nitrogen content. These results suggest that high amounts of nitrogen fertilization may increase infection of wheat by Fusarium foot and root rot disease by influencing the plant physiology.

Keywords

• Durum wheat
• Fusarium culmorum
• nitrogen rates