Seasonal Variations in the Occurrence of Wheat Stripe Rust in Bale Highlands

Abstract

Wheat is produced in two equally important seasons in Bale highlands of Ethiopia which are locally called bona and ganna. Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) variability by season was investigated using rust trap nursery (1996-2000), on-farm rust survey (1996-1998) and
rust urediospores trapping (1998-2000). The results showed that bona season was favorable for Stripe rust development. The optimum temperature range for Stripe rust sopre germination and rapid disease development also prevailed in this season. As a result, Stripe rust severity in the field and inoculum load in the air was significantly higher during bona than ganna season.