Reactions of spring wheat varieties to common bunt (Tilletia laevis) in Turkey

Tilletia laevis, common bunt fungus, causes substantial yield and quality losses by forming systemic infection in wheat if seed treatment with fungicides is not practiced. Considering cost and side effects of the chemicals on human and environment, using resistant/tolerant wheat varieties seems to be a sensible approach in the management of common bunt. It is particularly crucial in organic farming. The aim of the study was to examine reactions of registered spring wheat varieties to common bunt, T. laevis. In this respect, a total of 31 spring wheat varieties were tested using artificial inoculations of T. laevis. The experiment was set up using a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse. Agronomic characteristics (plant height, spike length, grain weight and root dry weight) of the plants in inoculated plots were compared with the control (non-inoculated) plants. Depending on variety, T. laevis led to significant (P < 0.01) reductions in all the examined agronomic characteristics. Mean reductions in plant height, spike length, grain weight and root dry weight of all the varieties were 6.47, 6.35, 65.04 and 37.19%, respectively. The highest reductions in plant height (17.84%), spike length (15.31%), grain weight (92.82%) and root dry weight (65.80%) were detected in varieties Seri-2013, Yuregir-89, Kale and Adana-99, respectively. Infection rates ranged from 13.88 to 94.65% among the varieties. As a result, 77.41% of the varieties were very susceptible. Neither resistant nor moderately resistant reaction type to the fungus was found, indicating vulnerability of the spring wheat varieties.