Wheat Rust Diseases survey and Virulence Diversity of Wheat Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) in Bale and West Arsi Zones, South East of Ethiopia

Author(s)

Zerihun Eshetu , Tamene Mideksa Sarbessa , Kitessa Gutu ,

Download Full PDF Pages: 13-25 | Views: 13 | Downloads: 2 | DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23376303

Volume 10 - April 2026 (04)

Abstract

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia. It grows across large area of the country.Wheat rusts (Wheat yellow leaf and stem rusts), Septoria tritici blotch and Fusarium head blight are the most important one. While it is known that wheat rusts (Wheat yellow rust and wheat stem rust) epidemics have occurred in Ethiopia, no systematic long-term analysis of past outbreaks has been available. We present results from one of the most comprehensive surveillances and race analysis of wheat rusts in Ethiopia. More than 428 from 2018-2022 which was about 104, 106,83,55, and 80 fields have been surveyed during the last five years in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively during main cropping season. The trends in the distribution of wheat stem rust (Sr), and stripe rust (Yr) were identified. Results show very high infection levels. In the five years from 2018-2022 five wheat stem rust races namely TKKTF TTKTF, TTTTF, and TTKTT was frequently observed at Bale and west Arsi zones. Therefore, it is suggested to use resistant varieties with limited frequency of fungicides to impede the incurring of wheat yellow rust and wheat stem rust in farmer’s field. As a result, Breeding should be directed towards development for durable rusts resistant wheat varieties for to combat the disease in sustainable and cost-effective manner.

Keywords

Distribution, Races, Trends, Yellow rust, Wheat stem rust, Resistance gene

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