Progress of researches done to understand host-pathogen relationship for spot blotch pathogen of wheat

Abstract

The importance of spot blotch disease for wheat production in our country and south Asia is well known. It is extremely important in north-eastern wheat growing region which grows wheat in around 9 mha. This disease did not get due attention before 1990s. However, in last decade a number of researches were conducted to understand various issues concerning host-pathogen relationship of this disease. Our understanding on various issues is much improved compared to a decade ago. For instance, now researchers have established the epidemiology, there is better knowledge about pathogen survival and variability, there are better sources of resistance, inheritance and association with morpho-physiological traits is clearer and molecular markers are also available. Many of recent cultivars and advanced lines carry significantly superior resistance to varieties grown in 70s to 90s. However, there is need to carry on good basic and applied research to develop even more resistant lines in high yield potential background.