Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
Research Article
Virulence Diversity and Physiological Race Composition of Wheat Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici) in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia
Author(s): Gizachew Hirpa Regasa* and Netsanet Bacha Hei
Wheat stem rust (black rust) is one of the most important airborne diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum) caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici remains a constraint to the world’s wheat production. Because of the sudden changes in stem rust race patterns, commercial varieties tend to become vulnerable globally at large and particularly in Ethiopia. It was responsible to cause 6.2 million metric tonnes per year or higher losses under severe epidemics at global level. Therefore, this study was initiated to identify the physiological races and virulence diversity of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in Tigray region. Race identification through inoculation of stem rust isolates, multiplication of single-pustule of the pathogen and race designation by inoculating on a set of wheat differential lines were done i.. View more»