The Most Important Fungal Diseases of Cereals—Problems and Possible Solutions

Marcin Różewicz,Marta Wyzińska,Jerzy Grabiński

doi:10.3390/agronomy11040714

Marcin Różewicz, Marta Wyzińska + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040714

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Abstract

The level of cereal yields and the quality of these yields depend, to a large extent, on a crop management system, the genetic potential of a given cultivar, but also on factors that may cause damage to plants or a reduction in yield. Such factors include fungal diseases of cereals, which may cause a reduction in yield by 15–20%, and in extreme cases even by 60%. The main factors determining the occurrence of these pathogens are the weather conditions during the growing season of plants, crop rotation, the previous crop, the soil tillage system, and nitrogen fertilisation. Fungal diseases of cereals limit plant growth and development, as well as reduce grain yield and quality. This paper reviews the literature on fungal diseases of cereals.

Highlights

The aim of this paper is to present the causes and consequences of fungal diseases in cereals based on a literature review
Research conducted so far has shown that both the tillage method, cultivation technology, fertilisation rate and the choice of cultivar have an effect on the incidence of fungal diseases of cereals
Fungal diseases cause high yield losses as they reduce the assimilative area of leaves and ears, resulting in poor grain formation and a decrease in the number of grains per ear

Summary

Introduction

Fungal diseases are an important yield-limiting factor in cereals with estimated yield losses of 15–20%; when they occur to a large extent, losses may reach as high as 50% [1,2,3]. Cereals are often cultivated in succession, which increases the risk of pathogens from plants accumulating and living in the soil [4] To some extent, this occurrence can be reduced by using proper crop rotation and by using cultivars with high resistance to pathogens [5,6,7]. One factor that largely determines the occurrence of fungal diseases is the weather conditions, which are beyond human control. One of the most important factors that influence the occurrence of fungal diseases is the course of weather conditions during the growing season [18]. The aim of this paper is to present the causes and consequences of fungal diseases in cereals based on a literature review

Genesis and Evolution of Fungal Diseases

Characteristics of the Most Common Fungal Diseases

Method of nitrogen fertilization

Findings

Conclusions