Resistant rusts in Argentina: infections are detected after application of fungicides

The different types of rust have transformed into a major threat in terms of diseases that infect wheat in Argentina. 

 

The first alert emerged a month ago and the fungi that affected the cereal leaves are already present throughout the Córdoba territory.

 

Regarding this issue, Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) and the Phytopathology of the Catholic University of Córdoba released two reports that analyzed the rust in the province. In the Southeast of Córdoba, INTA elaborated the report with data from the experimental station in Marcos Juárez and the Rural Extension agencies in Corral de Bustos, Justiniano Posse, and Noetinger.

 

“With respect to the health level, it highlights the good performance that they had in early applications of fungicides of the wheat stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis),” the study highlighted. But it assured, “despite that, in the lots after more than 20 days after the application, the reappearance of the disease was observed, due to the high predisposing conditions of the new pustules.” These conditions were rain and moisture that are above the historic average.

 

The document made by the Catholic University also warns that that because of the regional climate conditions, “foliar diseases have been present with different levels of severity.” 

 

“If the presence of rusts prevails, in this season a plurality of species can be observed, depending on the varieties of wheat used,” the survey stated.

 

The phytopathology laboratory revealed that the most recent cases of diseases were the wheat stripe rust, the brown or leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and the stem rust (Puccinia graminis). For the University, “the wheat is in a critical state, so it is important for the determination of diseases and intensity of attacks to ensure adequate management.”