In Vitro and in Planta Fungicide Testing for Management of Wheat Rusts.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Pathology
• Mycology

Background:

• Wheat rust diseases cause significant economic losses on the Canadian Prairies, estimated at over $17.25 per acre annually.
• Demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) and Quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) are commonly used fungicides targeting fungal sterol biosynthesis and mitochondrial respiration, respectively.
• Fungicides, while targeting pathogens, can also affect host plant physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an improved diagnostic protocol for evaluating the effects and efficacy of DMI and QoI fungicides.
• To assess fungicide impact on in vitro germination of rust urediniospores, disease development on detached wheat leaves, and whole plants.
• To optimize fungicide application strategies for effective wheat rust control, minimizing crop impact and environmental costs.

Main Methods:

• Development of a diagnostic protocol for fungicide evaluation.
• In vitro testing of fungicide efficacy on rust urediniospore germination.
• In planta assays using detached wheat leaves and whole wheat plants to assess disease development and fungicide effects.

Main Results:

• The study presents a novel protocol for assessing fungicide performance against wheat rust.
• The protocol allows for the evaluation of both pathogen control and potential host plant responses.
• Data generated can inform optimized fungicide application for disease management.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol provides a comprehensive method for evaluating commercial DMI and QoI fungicides against wheat rust.
• Optimized fungicide application can enhance rust disease control in wheat.
• Mitigating fungicide use through improved diagnostics can reduce environmental and financial burdens.