Wheat seed contamination with seed-borne diseases in cold climatic zone of Iran

In order to evaluate the informal wheat seed contamination with seed-bornediseases, two most important provinces (East Azarbaijan and Khorasan Razavi) forwheat production were selected in cold region of Iran in 2008-2009 crop seasonsand ten different locations (city or village) were considered in each province andten informal seed farmers were selected randomly. A seed sample (1 kg) was takenfrom planting source of each farmer. Different analysis including purity,germination and seed health (head blight, common bunt and loose smut disease)tests carried out on seed samples according to ISTA rules. Fusarium graminearumwas identified as the main disease in provinces. Blotter test showed significantdifferences (P<0.05) among the towns but there was no meaningful differencebetween provinces. Washing test for T. caries showed significant differencebetween the two provinces (P<0.1) but there was no meaningful difference amongtowns in each province. Furthermore there was significant difference between andamong provinces and towns with respect to T. leavis infection. Also the datashowed clear dispersal of these two species (T. caries and T. leavis). Negative andhigh significant correlation was observed between U. tritici and germination. Sothe precision study of seed borne disease in different areas of the country forproducing healthy seed is recommended.

Wheat seed contamination with seed-borne diseases in cold climatic zone of Iran Keywords:

Wheat seed , F. graminearum , T. leavis , U. tritici , T. caries