Fungal pathogens in New Zealand certified wheat seed

Abstract

Pathogenic fungi belonging to the genera Drechslera, Fusarium, and Septoria were detected in 35% and 57% of certified wheat seed lines from the 1977–78 and 1978–79 harvests respectively. Fusarium spp. accounted for over 85% of all recordings in both seasons; F. Avenaceum, F. culmorum, and F. nivale were common, F. graminearum and F. poae were found less freqently. D. avenae, present in 8% and 10% of samples respectively, was the only Drechslera species recorded. Septoria nodorum was recorded for the first time from New Zealand wheat seed. There is a need to change from the currently used captan-based seed treatment to the broad-spectrum systemic-based products.