Root diseases of wheat in Minas Gerais and Distrito Federal

Abstract

This work reports the occurrence of common root rot of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in some regions of the "cerrado" of Central Brazil, in the states of Minas Gerais and Distrito Federal. Cochliobolus sativus was the main organism isolated from rotted roots. The incidence and intensity of common root rot were low in the non-irrigated wheat fields from Minas Gerais, in spite of the high spore populations of C. sativus found in most soils. The irrigated wheat fields from Distrito Federal, however, had a higher incidence and intensity of the disease with much lower spore populations. The highest concentration of spores in the sampled soils was found in the surface layer of 0-3 cm.