The impact of seed gall nematode on grain yield, quality and marketing prices on durum wheat in Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The objective of this study was to draw the attention for this under estimated pest in the South-east of Anatolia. Field studies were carried out in historically known infested farmer fields to assess the effects of seed gall nematode (Anguina tritici [Steinbuch]) on grain yield, quality and marketing price of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) in the wheat production region of ViranAŸehir, Anatolia, Turkey during 2008/2009 growing season. Grain yield losses due to A. tritici were reported up to 32%. Seed gall severity corresponded with a decrease in number of grain spike-1, grain weight spike-1, test weight (kg hl-1) and 1000 kernel weight (g). However, the SDS protein content (%) was not affected by increase in seed galls. The price of durum wheat per tonne was reduced from 335 to 297 USD$ with increasing A. tritici contamination (from 5 to 20%). This could be explained by a significant negative regression with grain price against A. tritici (P ≤ 0.01; R2 = 80.2%). A. tritici has a potential to be one of the major biotic constraints in the irrigated wheat production regions of Anatolia as both yield and grain price were affected. The use of clean seeds should assist in effective control and careful monitoring is a must. Key words: Grain yield, quality, marketing price, Anguina tritici, durum wheat, seed gall nematodes.