CURRENT STATUS OF WHEAT DISEASES IN PUNJAB.

Monitoring of wheat crop, pre and post harvest, was done for recording incidence of various diseases in Punjab state during the period 2013-14 to 2015-16. The data indicated a change in virulence of stripe rust pathogen among the pre harvest diseases, whereas, among the post harvest diseases, Karnal bunt, a minor disease earlier, has become a matter of concern as its incidence has increased over the years (highest 2.20% in 2014-15). The trend is considered mainly due to prevalence of favourable environmental conditions during the most vulnerable growth stage of the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]