Ludhiana, Punjab, India
November 2, 2015

To check yellow rust disease in wheat, Dr P.S. Sekhon, Head, Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has advised the farmers of Punjab to sow PAU recommended wheat varieties including PBW 677, WH 1105 and HD 3086 in the sub-mountainous regions of the state. Besides growing above mentioned varieties, other varieties including PBW 621 and HD 2967 can be sown in the Plains. Dr Sekhon has stressed on the farmers not to sow unrecommended wheat varieties like HD 2733, HD 2894, HD 2932, WH 711, PBW 343, Super 152, Super 172 and Barbat. He has also suggested the farmers to read the PAU publication “Package of Practices for Rabi Crops (2015-16)” for more information.

Elaborating, Dr Sekhon said the yellow rust disease first appears in the sub-mountainous regions of Punjab in the form of yellow stripes and then spreads in the Plains. According to the survey conducted during the last 6-7 years, it has been observed that the yellow rust disease appeared in wheat in the sub-mountainous regions after mid-December and then spread in the Plains during mid-January, he revealed. Referring to its symptoms, he said, “The yellow powdery pustules appear on the leaves, forming stripes. The bad weather conditions contribute to the spread of this disease.” Dr Sekhon has cautioned the farmers that the disease, if not controlled in time, can cause yield losses.

Website: http://www.pau.edu/

Published: November 2, 2015