Evaluation of newer fungicides for the management of wheat stem rust caused by (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici)

Abstract

Wheat is one of the most important cereal and third most consumed food crop all over the world. It is the most important staple food of about two billion people (36% of the world population). Among all the biotic constraints stem rust is the most destructive disease of wheat. When crop resistance is failed it causes severe loss to wheat production. Chemical fungicides are an emergent tool for management of this disease.. During cropping season 2020-21 & 2021-22, we evaluated some newer chemical fungicides against wheat stem rust with reduction in DI % & ACI and increase yield attributes. In this experiment four fungicides viz., Azoxystrobin 18.2% w/w + Difenoconazole 11.4% w/w SC, Pyraclostrobin 7% EC, Propiconazole 25% EC and Tebuconazole 50%EC were used @ 0.1%  on two susceptible varieties. The fungicide Tebuconazole (50EC) reduces the DI % (disease incidence) up to 45.62 % after 7 days of spraying and 74.92 % after 14 days of spraying. It clearly indicates that this toxicant is exhibiting very excellent curative effect. Bio-efficacy potential of Propiconazole 25% EC is next to Tebuconazole 50% EC and difference between then is statistically insignificant. It is clear that Tebuconazole 50% EC drastically reduces the severity of stem rust to the level of 1.67 against check. Biological yield and grain yield is also comparatively best with Tebuconazole 50% EC. The grain yield increase percentage was very high i.e. 169.49 % with variety Agra local and 185.48 % with variety Local red as compare to check value i.e. zero.