Screening of wheat commercial varieties for resistance against powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis F. sp. tritici) at Kaghan Valley, Pakistan.

The powdery mildew of wheat is considered to be of economic importance. During the era of 80’s and early 90’s the prevalence of powdery mildew was a regular feature in the wheat fields. Then the disease disappears and its prevalence became limited to few fields. However in the early 2000 the disease again showed its prevalence regularly wherever the wheat is cultivated in the country in diversified ecologies of Pakistan. Ninety two commercial wheat varieties were planted at Summer Agricultural Research Station, Kaghan with the objective to ascertain the resistant germplasm against Powdery mildew. The Kaghan Station is considered as a severe epidemic site and the hot spot for powdery mildew under natural field conditions. The universally susceptible wheat variety Morocco was included as a check which showed 100% disease infestation. Among the 92 varieties, 2 varieties were found resistant; 2 moderately resistant, 11 moderately susceptible, 29 susceptible and 48 highly susceptible.