Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-CONTRERAS, M. Elsa et al. Effect of Septoria tritici on rainfed wheat yield in rainy environments of the Central Highlands of México. Agrociencia [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.4, pp.435-442. ISSN 2521-9766.

Leaf blotch caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola (Septoria tritici) is a disease damaging the wheat production in the rainy Highlands of México. In order to determine the losses it causes in this region, six varieties in plots, controlled and uncontrolled of this disease, were assessed in the localities of Juchitepec, State of México, and Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala, in the summers of 1997 and 1999. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks with an arrangement of split plot treatments, and the assays were evaluated as experimental series. There were highly significant differences (p<0.01) for grain yield and grain weight among environments, treatments, and varieties; furthermore, the severity of leaf blotch varied among localities and years. The disease directly affected crop cycle and productivity; the negative effect on grain yield reached 44%. The most effective and profitable way of control is by sowing varieties with higher resistance level.

Keywords : Maximum leaf area damage; grain yield; leaf blotch; susceptible varieties.