Effectiveness of plant extracts for repressing stem rust disease severity of wheat caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici Pers under field conditions

Abstract

Abstract Background Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici Pers is one of the most devastating fungal foliar diseases, and causes substantial yield losses to wheat crops cultivated under field conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of plant extract-based foliar sprays for wheat with carnation, ginger and cinnamon on the severity of stem rust infection of three wheat cultivars cultivated under field conditions for two consecutive winter seasons of (2020/21 and 2021/22). Results In both seasons our data showed that all treatments were associated with some degree of disease suppression recorded as a range of 2.3–8.6% compared to 15.3–24.5% in untreated control treatment. The plant extract treatment was more effective than Amistar, a commercial fungicide. They recorded disease severity as: scores ranged between 2.3 and 3.2%; 3.0–4.5%, and 3.0–6% for wheat cvs. Giza 1, Misr 2, and Sids 14, in respective order. Meanwhile, scores of 4.1, 7.5, and 8.6% were recorded at fungicidal treatment. Spaying wheat plants with carnation extract showed the lowest disease prevalence followed by ginger and cinnamon extract, respectively. Increased in grain yield was associated with reduced disease severity. Conclusions The present investigation demonstrated the efficacy using plant extracts against foliar diseases caused by Puccinia and it was suggested that they may be an alternative to traditional chemical treatment.