Incidence and pathogenicity of fungi associated with seedling disease of rain-fed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Nigeria

Abstract

A post- emergence disease of rain-fed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) encountered in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria was investigated. The incidence of disease was 13.07% in 1993,20.81% in 1994 and 11.95% in 1995 on six wheat cultivars. Cultivar ‘Sonalika’ was most susceptible. Of the two fungal species isolated from infected tissues, only Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. produced the disease in pathogenicity tests. Disease developed within 6-10 days after planting and infected seedlings died by the twelfth day. Twelve to fourteen- day old seedlings were not infected by S. rolfsii. Seedling infection by S. rolfsii induced a reduction in the rate of seedling emergence, root length and seedling vigour. Fusarium graminearum Schwab., isolated from infected tissues alongside S. rolfsii is a secondary invader of S. rolfsii infected tissues. It exhibited antagonistic potentials againstS. rolfsii.