IMPACT OF FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES ON WHEAT STRIPE RUST EPIDEMICS AND GRAIN YIELD

Abstract

The stripe rust of wheat caused severe grain yield losses in Pakistan and all over the world. The present investigation involved two replicated experiments conducted in the research area of Bahuddin Zakriya University, Bahadur Sub campus Layyah during 2018-2019 and 2019 -2020 cropping seasons by following the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). In both experiments, four different fungicides viz., Metiram @ 625g/ha; Sulphur @ 2500g/ha; Propiconazole @ 625ml/ha and Difenoconazole @ 375g/ha were evaluated to determine their impact on stripe rust severity and grain yield. Data on disease severity was recorded by using the modified Cobb scale whereas; the number of grains/spike and thousand-grain weight data were recorded after harvesting the crop. All four applied fungicides reduced the stripe rust severity as compared to control. However, maximum disease was controlled by Difenoconazole during both rating seasons 2018-19 (22.2%) and 2019-2020 (21.1%) followed by Propiconazole (21.6% & 20.5%), Sulphur (20.7% & 19.9%) and Metiram (20.1% & 19.4%). Grain yield was significantly increased with the foliar application of fungicides during both successive years. Maximum number of grains/spike (47 & 46.1) and 1000-grain weight (39.98 & 38.97 g) were recorded in first and second crop seasons respectively, with the application of Difenaconazole followed by Propiconazole, Sulphar and Metiram as compared to the control respectively. The present investigation could play an important role in controlling stripe rust epidemics and to enhance grain yield in central Asian countries.