ASSESSMENT OF SOIL AND SEED BORNE FOLIAR BLIGHT DISEASES OF WHEAT OF POTHOHAR REGION.

The study focuses on soil and seed borne foliar blight diseases. The study area covered pothohar rain fed region of Punjab containing four districts Jhelum, Rawalpindi, Attock and Chakwal. Epidemiological surveys were conducted to check prevalence and incidence of foliar diseases. Samples were collected from 70 locations. Fungi isolated from soil samples belonged to the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Curvularia and Rhizopus. Yield attributes were also calculated for yield production under different stresses. The results indicated that overall trend of foliar blight diseases was such that diseases took higher toll in Attock>Chakwal>Jhelum>Rawalpindi. Tan spot mean incidence was 7.15 in Chakwal and 2 in Attock, it was absent in Jhelum and Rawalpindi. Net blotch mean incidence was recorded highest among all diseases with values 1.47, 24.33, 13.66 and 14.55 in Chakwal, Jhelum, Rawalpindi and Attock respectively. Scald mean incidence was 2.5 in Attock only. Disease incidence of Septoria and HLB ranged from 0.8 - 2.10 in four districts. Alternariaand Fusarium were recorded highest in Jhelum and Chakwal respectively. Consequently the measured wheat yield and grains quality was affected in presence of foliar blight diseases. It needs improved agricultural practices and better management to combat diseases for higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]