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Evaluation of Bread Wheat Varieties against Yellow Rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici) in Silte and Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Metiku Kebede, Yisahak Tsegaye, Bilal Temam

Yellow rust disease caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is one most important fungal diseases of wheat in highland of Ethiopia. Field experiments were conducted in twelve Ethiopian bread wheat cultivars under natural conditions during two seasons (2019 and 2020) at two locations (Alicho wuriro and Geta) differ climatologically in Ethiopia. The bread wheat varieties were field evaluated for the response of yellow rust in randomized complete block design with three replications. The combined data analysis over the two year indicated that all tested wheat varieties including susceptible Digalu showed variable response to the disease and no variety was found completely resistant to yellow rust. Remarkable difference was observed in terminal disease severity and AUDPC values of the disease. The highest of AUDPC values of 2375% days and 1512% days were recorded on susceptible Digalu and Hidase, respectively. The lowest AUDPC of 265.5% days on Shorima and 474.2% days on Danda’a were recorded at Alicho wuriro and Geta, respectively. Highly significant (p ≤ 0.05) variations were noted among the varieties tested over seasons for spike length, thousand kernel weight and grain yields. The cultivars Danda’a and Shorima had great values for average grain yield potential at both locations in spite of the fact that maximum severity were observed in these varieties. The bread wheat varieties Danda’a and Shorima exhibited the best level of resistance to yellow rust infection. However the resistance gene of these varieties will be break through time due the involvement of new race or prevailing environmental factor. Therefore, continues releases and utilization of new resistant cultivar is an important strategy to improve the grain yield and quality of produce in the country.