Present scenario of yellow rust of wheat in Punjab and its management

Surveys conducted for the prevalence of yellow or stripe rust (Puccinia. striiformis f. sp. tritici) of wheat revealed that it first appeared at certain locations in the sub-mountainous districts of SBS Nagar, Ropar, Hoshiarpur in the Punjab State and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh from where it spread further to other areas. Severity of yellow rust in different districts of Punjab varied from 6.5–35.6, 2.6–28.5 and 3.5–20.5 per cent during 2010–11, 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively. The analysis of samples collected from various locations revealed that frequency of two commonly prevalent pathotypes 78S84 and 46S119 varied in the proportion of 75:25, 35:65 and 20:80 per cent during 2010–11, 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively. In vitro evaluation of different fungicides against yellow rust indicated that all the fungicides tested were effective in reducing uredospore germination of the rust fungus. However, field evaluation of fungicides revealed that Bayleton was the most effective fungicide followed by Folicur in managing the disease.