Wheat seed contamination with seed-borne diseases in cold climatic zone of Iran

Abstract

In order to evaluate the informal wheat seed contamination with seed-borne<br />diseases, two most important provinces (East Azarbaijan and Khorasan Razavi) for<br />wheat production were selected in cold region of Iran in 2008-2009 crop seasons<br />and ten different locations (city or village) were considered in each province and<br />ten informal seed farmers were selected randomly. A seed sample (1 kg) was taken<br />from planting source of each farmer. Different analysis including purity,<br />germination and seed health (head blight, common bunt and loose smut disease)<br />tests carried out on seed samples according to ISTA rules. Fusarium graminearum<br />was identified as the main disease in provinces. Blotter test showed significant<br />differences (P<0.05) among the towns but there was no meaningful difference<br />between provinces. Washing test for T. caries showed significant difference<br />between the two provinces (P<0.1) but there was no meaningful difference among<br />towns in each province. Furthermore there was significant difference between and<br />among provinces and towns with respect to T. leavis infection. Also the data<br />showed clear dispersal of these two species (T. caries and T. leavis). Negative and<br />high significant correlation was observed between U. tritici and germination. So<br />the precision study of seed borne disease in different areas of the country for<br />producing healthy seed is recommended.