The latent period of Septoria nodorum in wheat. 2. The effect of temperature and moisture under field conditions

Abstract

The effects of temperature and moisture (duration of leaf wetness) on the latent period ofSeptoria nodorum (Berk.) Berk. in seedlings of ‘Felix’ wheat were studied in the field. Throughout the autumn 1969 plants were inoculated at regular intervals. For each inoculation day the subsequent latent period was determined. Variation in temperature was caused by the seasonal decrease of temperature. Variation in the duration of leaf wetness was caused by the variability of the weather in general, and by covering and irrigation in special. Within the range of the experiment, an increase of temperature and an increase of the duration of leaf wetness both caused a decrease of the latent period. The magnitude of the effect (up to about 7 days) was approximately the same as in growth chamber experiments. Relations between variables were tested by means of multiple regression equations; the effects of temperature, duration of leaf wetness, and sometimes of their interaction were significant. For the prediction of the latent period, duration of leaf wetness combined with minimum temperature provided the best results.