Screening wheat cultivars and genotypes for resistance to head scab

Abstract EN

Nineteen cultivars and 21 genotypes of wheat were evaluated for their reaction to head scab (Fusarium graminearum), grain formation and seed infection.

Five cultivars (Innia 66, Pavan, Kalyansona, Barkat and Kari) and five genotypes (BKT/Bulbul, KRL-1-4, NK 5, O 4 and TP 2) were free from head scab, but the rest were highly susceptible.

Head scab reduced grain weight up to 26.19% and a positive correlation was recorded between ear infection and loss in 1000-grain weight.

Seeds from diseased and healthy ears yielded F.

graminearum, while maximum seed-borne infection of 32% was recorded in KAV 2 with 63.5% head infection.