Leaf rust latent period in wheat and its relation with field resistence

Abstract

The research aimed to measure the latent period of leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici) in ten wheat cultivars and its relation with field resistance. Two experiments were conducted in greenhouse estimating the latent period in seedlings and in blooming stages through Parlevliet method. Other two experiments had been conducted in field, one in small adjacent plots and another in isolated plots. Significant variation on cultivars performance related to leaf rust latent period was evidenced. Age of plants influenced significantly this data, been longer in adult plants than in seedlings. Cultivars showed different infection levels on field, greater in small plots. Latent period and field infection were correlated only when measured the first in adult plants and the latter in small plots. Results recommend breeders to avoid inoculum pressure which modifies wheat performance on leaf rust presence.