Relationship between stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum) yield loss in the highlands of Bale, southeastern Ethiopia.

The effect of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) on yield and yield components of three common wheat cultivars was studied in 2002 and 2003 in Bale highlands, Ethiopia. The objectives were to quantify amount of loss in yield and yield components incurred by stripe rust on common wheat, and assess the relationship between stripe rust and yield. Different severity levels were created by varying triademefon spray intervals. Stripe rust significantly affected grain yield, kernels per spike (NKPS) and thousand kernels weight (TKW) of the susceptible Wabe cultivar. Losses of 3819 kg ha-1 (71%) grain yield, 21.5 (35%) NKPS and 13.9 g (37%) TKW occurred on Wabe. Each unit increase in stripe rust severity resulted in yield reduction of 41 - 47 kg ha-1 at Agarfa. The study indicated that stripe rust causes intolerable high yield loss in common wheat production and the importance of using resistant cultivars and applying fungicide on susceptible cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]