Prevalence of Wheat Rust Pathogen (Puccinia spp.) in Pasinler District, Erzurum Province


Kızılkaya G. E., Tozlu E.

7th International Congress on Food, Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Antalya, Türkiye, 13 - 16 Kasım 2025, ss.173-186, (Tam Metin Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Antalya
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.173-186
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Wheat rust diseases (Puccinia spp.) are among the major fungal pathogens that significantly affect wheat production both globally and in Turkey. These diseases cause pustule formation on leaves and spikes, disrupting photosynthesis and nutrient transport, which leads to yield reduction and quality loss. Although Erzurum Province is an important wheat-growing region due to its favorable climatic and soil conditions, data on the occurrence of rust diseases in the Pasinler district remain limited. This study was conducted during the 2025 wheat growing season using randomly collected wheat samples from various fields in Pasinler. Rust symptoms on leaves and spikes were recorded during field surveys, and disease prevalence and severity were assessed based on the proportion of infected plants and pustule density. Morphological identification was employed as the primary method for evaluating the distribution and intensity of the disease in the field. The results revealed that wheat rust is moderately widespread in the Pasinler district, showing variability among fields. The overall disease incidence ranged from 13% to 17%, with slightly higher severity observed in certain areas. This variation was closely related to regional climatic conditions, sowing dates, wheat cultivars, and agronomic practices. Early detection and the implementation of integrated disease management strategies are crucial to minimize yield losses. The study provides valuable insights for monitoring wheat rust in the Pasinler region, facilitating early diagnosis and the planning of appropriate cultural and biological control measures. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of developing regional epidemiological data and disease maps for future research and management planning.

Keywords: Wheat, Rust disease, Puccinia spp., Disease prevalence, Epidemiology