| Abstract: | Following a list of the economically most important fungal wheat diseases, recent trends in chemical seed treatment are discussed. Different fungicide mixtures are now available for the replacement of mercurial dressings, but are generally more expensive. The control of fungal diseases by spraying has become more and more common over the past ten years in certain countries. Advantage has been taken of the curative action of the modern systemic chemicals. The major diseases are powdery mildew, rusts, eyespot, glume-and leaf-blotch. The general application of a fungicide programme is restricted by regional wheat prices, and should also be limited to reduce environmental contamination. Knowledge about economic thresholds and correct timing of control are indispensable, and in special cases the development of warning systems is advisable. The role of Cycocel (chlormequat) is also discussed. A danger of fungicide resistance in populations of plant pathogenic fungi has arisen with the introduction of the systemic fungicides (one-site-inhibitors). As yet, however, no economically important case of fungicide resistance within cereal pathogens is known. Factors favouring the stepwise selection of resistant strains under field conditions are discussed in detail, and experimental data are presented on this subject. Other positive or negative side-effects of the modern fungicides are described. |
