Effect of microclimate modification on Karnal bunt of wheat under ludhiana conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of microclimate on Karnal Bunt (KB) in wheat under Ludhiana district, Punjab. The microclimate effect was studied using three dates of sowing (20th October, 05th November and 20th November), two methods of cultivation (recommended cultivation and additional leaf wetness) and three wheat varieties (Unnat PBW 343, PBW 725 and HD 2967). The maximum disease incidence (22.15%) was observed in crop sown on 5th November followed by 20th November (19.64%) and 20th October (16.03%). Maximum KB incidence was observed in variety PBW 725 (26.52%) followed by HD 2967(19.77%) and Unnat PBW 343(11.54%). Additional leaf wetness resulted in higher disease incidence (26.99%) as compared to recommended cultivation (11.56%). Relative humidity inside the crop canopy and canopy temperature showed 71 and 65 per cent variability in disease incidence, respectively. The study indicated an important role of microclimatic parameters viz. canopy temperature and relative humidity within canopy in KB development.