Test evaluates resistance of wheat cultivars to powdery mildew

Powdery mildew, a disease caused by the fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is the main cause of damage to wheat crops, and can reduce grain yield by up to 60%.
Given this scenario, the Agris Institute conducted a cultivar trial in the 2021 harvest with the aim of evaluating the damage caused by the disease in the main cultivars currently available on the market. “Our objective is to provide information so that rural producers can make a good choice for their crops”, explains the research and development manager at Instituto Agris, Eng. Agr. Matthew Zanatta.

The experiment was conducted in Passo Fundo/RS and followed all protocols of scientific methods used in agronomic research to evaluate 25 wheat cultivars from four breeders (Biotrigo Genética, Embrapa Trigo, OR Sementes and Semevinea). The criterion for choosing the materials was representativeness. In addition, statistical and laboratory analyzes were carried out, providing even more reliability to the data generated.

The study concluded that the choice of cultivars tolerant to powdery mildew is essential to obtain good results in crops. In susceptible materials, chemical control must be adopted as an emergency measure to control powdery mildew. With this measure, it is possible to reach maximum productivity ceilings.

The test results show that the materials with the highest incidence of powdery mildew were also those with the lowest yield. “The choice of disease-tolerant cultivars should be prioritized by the farmer, as a complementary measure, in susceptible cultivars, the use of chemical control is the most effective tool to maintain maximum yield potential”, assesses Zanatta.

The results of the wheat cultivar trial are available on Instagram @institutoagris.