Integrated wheat disease management

Publication date: 31/07/2016
Extent: 26 pages

Contributions by: Stephen N. Wegulo, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

Chapter synopsis: Wheat is one the most economically important crops in the world. Diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes can significantly reduce wheat yields. All parts of the wheat plant can be affected by diseases. Integrated disease management (IDM) combines two or more tactics to prevent or reduce yield loss. IDM is based on the concept of integrated pest management (IPM) in which various tools are combined to manage pests in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. These tools or tactics include scouting, disease identification, variety selection, cultural practices, chemical control and biological control. This chapter reviews these tactics individually using selected research examples and emphasizes the integration of as many tactics as practically possible to maximize the effectiveness of managing wheat diseases.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2016.0004.23