Screening of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes against karnal bunt (Tilletia indica ) under arid conditions [electronic resource]:

Includes references.

In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the production of disease resistant genotypes is crucial for managing diseases.Although, breeding programmes are challenging in disease-free areas owing to quarantine regulations but it is a necessity for upgrading the wheat genotypes that are adapted to current climate change situations. Karnal bunt caused by Tilletia indica has a significant influence on production and quality parameters of what as it adds a fishy odour and flavor to the wheat. A screening study was undertaken for Karnal bunt observation in two growing seasons in the high yielding area of South Punjab, i.e, Bahawalpur. Twenty one wheat commercial varieties developed in Regional Agricultural Research Institute Bahawalpur, Pakistan were screened for disease comparison between two wheat growing seasons (2019-2020 and 2020-2021). The area between the top of the spike and the surrounding boot sheath was inoculated with sporidial inoculum using a 3CC syringe with a 22-gauge needle. To assess the resistance/susceptibility of each line/cultivar of karnal bunt , a modified rating system was used. Disease incidence varied in cultivars during 2020-2021 growing season. In 2019-2020, Kohi Noor, Aas-09, Millat-11, and WL-711 had lower disease incidence than infected cultivars. While Shafaq-06, Johar-16, and Galaxy-13 have no disease incidence in the 2020-2021 . Overall, the disease occurance, persistence and severity is relatively low in Bahawalpur, that indicates arid environment is a favorable indicator for developing karnal bunt resistant genotypes. However, it is important that regular disease screening of Karnal bunt through monitoring at larger scale should be promoted in other wheat-growing areas as well for ensuring the adaptation/selection of disease resistant wheat genotypes.
Keywords: Commercial variety, Karnal bunt, Varietal variation, Wheat genotypes.

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