Fungal attack is a major problem in wheat crop that leads to reduced yield and quality. The fungal diseases that affect wheat include powdery mildew, leaf rust, stem rust, and head blight. Controlling these diseases requires a combination of cultural practices, chemical treatments, and resistant cultivars. This article outlines some strategies for effective control of fungal attack in wheat crop.
1. Crop rotation
Crop rotation is one of the oldest and most effective strategies to control fungal diseases. The practice involves growing different crops in the same field over several seasons. Rotating wheat with other crops like legumes and oilseeds helps to break the disease cycle as the pathogens that cause wheat diseases cannot survive on non-host crops.
2. Seed treatment
Seed treatment is an effective way to control seed-borne and soil-borne fungal diseases in wheat. Seed can be treated with chemical fungicides or biological agents before sowing. Chemical seed treatments provide protection against a wide range of fungal diseases, while biological treatments use naturally occurring microbes to suppress the pathogens that cause disease.
3. Fungicide application
Fungicides are chemical substances that control fungal diseases in wheat crop. They can be applied as preventive or curative treatments, depending on the stage of the disease. Preventive treatments are applied before the disease appears, while curative treatments are applied after symptoms are observed. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and timing of the fungicide application to avoid resistance development.
4. Resistant cultivars
Planting resistant cultivars is an effective way to control fungal diseases in wheat crop. Resistant cultivars have been bred to resist the specific pathogens that cause the disease. When choosing the cultivar, it is important to select the one that has resistance to the predominant pathogen in your area.
5. Sanitation
Sanitation is an important cultural practice that helps to control fungal diseases in wheat crop. This involves removing infected plant debris and other sources of inoculum from the field. The removed debris should be burned or buried to prevent re-infection. Sanitation is particularly important for controlling head blight, which can survive on wheat straw and other crop debris.
In conclusion, controlling fungal attack in wheat crop requires a combination of cultural practices, chemical treatments, and resistant cultivars. Crop rotation, seed treatment, fungicide application, planting resistant cultivars, and sanitation are effective strategies for controlling fungal diseases in wheat crop. Remember to always follow the recommended practices to avoid resistance development.