IDENTIFICATION OF SOURCES OF RESISTANCE TO FOLIAR BLIGHTS (HELMINTHOSPORIUM SATlVUM AND ALTERNARIA TRITICINA) IN WHEAT GERMPLASM

Abstract

Foliar blights of wheat caused mainly by Helminthosporium sativum and
Alternaria triticina have become important in reducing wheat yields in this
region but so far they have received very little attention of the pathologists
and the breeders. None of the wheat varieties grown has adequate resistance
to these pathogens and yield losses ranging between 7.5 to 23.3 per cent are
caused in different varieties of wheat cultivated in this region (Singh et al.,
1991). It is, therefore, essential to identify resistant sources in wheat germplasm
for utilization in breeding disease resistant varieties.