Efficacy of foliar fungicide application for the management of wheat yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) disease on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the highlands of Bale, Southeastern Ethiopia

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important widely cultivated cereal crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of wheat are constrained by various biotic and a biotic factors. Among these, wheat yellow rust is one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat in the country. The field experiment was conducted at three hot-spot areas (Sinana on-station, Selka, and Agarfa) during the ۲۰۱۹/۲۰ cropping season to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar fungicides for the management of yellow rust disease on bread wheat. Bread wheat variety Kubsa (HAR ۱۶۸۵) was used for this study, which is highly susceptible to wheat rust diseases. The experiment was laid out in non-replicated plots at three hot-spot locations with two replications. Three different fungicides including the standard check (Rex®Duo) and untreated plot (control) were used as a treatment. The analysis of variance showed that fungicide treatments significantly (p ۰.۰۵) reduced yellow rust severity compared to the untreated plot. The test fungicides provided that better efficacy in reducing yellow rust severity comparable with the standard check (Rex®Duo). Results revealed that the test and check fungicides reduced yellow rust severity by about ۴۸% and ۴۶%, respectively as compared to an untreated check. The application of Nexicor EC, Priaxor EC, and Rex®Duo ۲۲, ۱۷.۸, and ۲۶ qt ha-۱ yield advantage over the untreated check, respectively. The highest net benefit was obtained from the application of Rex®Duo, Nexicor EC followed by Priaxor EC fungicides as compared to the untreated plot. The application of Nexicor EC and Priaxor EC fungicides gave maximum economic profitability with an acceptable marginal rate of return to control the yellow rust of wheat. A one- times spray of Nexicor EC and Priaxor EC fungicides at the rate of ۰.۶ and ۰.۷ litre ha-۱ are effective in reducing yellow rust of wheat if apply at early rust development.Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important widely cultivated cereal crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of wheat are constrained by various biotic and a biotic factors. Among these, wheat yellow rust is one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat in the country. The field experiment was conducted at three hot-spot areas (Sinana on-station, Selka, and Agarfa) during the ۲۰۱۹/۲۰ cropping season to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar fungicides for the management of yellow rust disease on bread wheat. Bread wheat variety Kubsa (HAR ۱۶۸۵) was used for this study, which is highly susceptible to wheat rust diseases. The experiment was laid out in non-replicated plots at three hot-spot locations with two replications. Three different fungicides including the standard check (Rex®Duo) and untreated plot (control) were used as a treatment. The analysis of variance showed that fungicide treatments significantly (p ۰.۰۵) reduced yellow rust severity compared to the untreated plot. The test fungicides provided that better efficacy in reducing yellow rust severity comparable with the standard check (Rex®Duo). Results revealed that the test and check fungicides reduced yellow rust severity by about ۴۸% and ۴۶%, respectively as compared to an untreated check. The application of Nexicor EC, Priaxor EC, and Rex®Duo ۲۲, ۱۷.۸, and ۲۶ qt ha-۱ yield advantage over the untreated check, respectively. The highest net benefit was obtained from the application of Rex®Duo, Nexicor EC followed by Priaxor EC fungicides as compared to the untreated plot. The application of Nexicor EC and Priaxor EC fungicides gave maximum economic profitability with an acceptable marginal rate of return to control the yellow rust of wheat. A one- times spray of Nexicor EC and Priaxor EC fungicides at the rate of ۰.۶ and ۰.۷ litre ha-۱ are effective in reducing yellow rust of wheat if apply at early rust development.