Survey, brown rust, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, disease score.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important stable food crop for more than one third of the world population and contributes more calories and proteins to the world diet than any other cereal crops (Abd-El-Haleem et al., 1998; Adams et al., 2002; Shewry, 2009).  Wheat used to be grown in all over the world because of its nutritional value and other uses in many industries. In India 2021-22, Wheat is grown in 30.47 million hectares area with production 106.84 million tonnes. In Madhya Pradesh 2021-22, it was grown in 6.50 million hectares (21.33% of India) with production 22.42 million tonnes (20.98% of India). (Source: E&S Division, DA and FW, 4th advance estimates). It contains carbohydrate 78.10%, protein 12.70%, fat 2.10%, minerals 2.10% and considerable proportions of vitamins (thiamine and vitamin-B) and minerals (zinc, iron). Wheat is also a good source of traces minerals like Selenium and Magnesium, which are essential to good health (Adams et al., 2002; Fraley, 2003; Shewry, 2009; Topping, 2007). It is nutritious, easy to store and transport and can be processed into various types of food. Considering its importance, it needs protection measures in case of disease occurrence. Hence it avoid be almost important to have information regarding biotic stress of wheat. There are many foliar diseases are reported in wheat crop among them brown rust is a major aerial disease caused by Puccinia triticina (Joshi et al., 2007). Indian wheat rust epidemics were chronicled historically by Nagrajan and Joshi (1975). Heavy attack of brown rust was recorded in variety C-281, U6, K65, A098, A115, C-273 at Powarkheda farm during 1967-68 in addition to a few local varieties sown in Pipariya tehsil (Mishra and Singh 1969). Effective management of rust diseases and increased wheat production in India are the results of a coordinated strategy that includes regular disease surveys, bolstering research capacity, developing new rust-resistant varieties, and assuring their adoption. Although many other countries have experienced rust outbreaks, India has not experienced a wheat rust epidemic for the past 47 years, providing strong evidence to support the claim (Bhardwaj et al., 2019). If the occurrence of brown rust appears on the early stage of crop it may cause loss 80% and on heading/flowering cause more than 50% which is much more loss than stem rust. Since, brown rust is a obligate pathogen and as per green bridge theory it is suppose to be perpetuate from Nill giri hills and from there it ramifies towards central India through Mahabaleshwar foot hills. In this context it has been conceptualize that if we track the brown rust inoculums in Mahabaleshwar foot hills in the month of January then its further progress and disease development in central India can be predicted well within time and then we can successfully recommended disease contentment strategies by deployment of slow rusting line and resistance varieties in adjoining area of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. This practice will definitely protect wheat crop in Madhya Pradesh from severe occurrence and epiphytotic development of brown rust. Owing to which it has been decided to carry out details survey and surveillance programme in Mahabaleshwar foot hills. Keeping above facts in view, a comprehensive study of prevalence of brown rust of wheat in central India has been conducted during last week of February onwards.  The main aim this study to observe prevalence of this disease in Mahabaleshwar foot hills as early as possible so that precautionary action in adjoining states to break Puccinia path at initial stage of disease appearance. Since, it was conceptualized that brown rust migration/spread start from Nilgiri to Central India then towards North India. In this connection our survey programme is very much important to track the inoculums as well as disease prevalence starting from Mahabaleshwar foothills to Central India and our efforts also continue to trace the incidence in adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh. If any lead arises out of our work it will be communicated to the adjoining states agriculture administration so that any major outbreak/loss to farmer's can be prevented.

For studying prevalence of wheat brown rust a roving survey was conducted in adjoining areas of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to record incidence of brown rust during the Rabi season 2021-22 and 2022-23 particularly targeting wheat growing area of both states. Survey covered four districts of Maharashtra namely Pune, Nashik, Ahmednagar and Satara and twelve districts of Madhya Pradesh namely Gwalior, Harda, Datia, Sehore, Raisen, Rewa, Shahdol, Tikamgarh, Panna, Satna, Chattarpur, Narmadapuram. A total of 36 farmer’s fields were assessed in Maharashtra from four districts viz., Pune, Satara, Nashik, Ahmednagar in 2021-22 and 37 farmer’s fields in 2022-23. In Madhya Pradesh 35 farmer’s fields were assessed in 2021-22 and 40 farmer’s fields in 2022-23. The survey spots were selected randomly in each district and stops were made at every 10-15 Km intervals. Three to five sub-locations were observed in each wheat field along a diagonal move at each spot. Brown rust infected leaves of wheat which were showing characteristics symptoms of disease were collected. The information collected such as location, prevalence, incidence and severity of disease and wheat variety from survey were recorded by using Google Map and Note cam lite-GPS, geo coordinate (Latitude, Longitude and Elevation) and other essential information regarding fields were also obtained. The favourable time for appearance of wheat brown rust disease was February month. Present survey was conducted in first and second week of February both years in different districts of Maharashtra and thereafter up to last week of February in Madhya Pradesh. The samples were kept in paper envelops and each envelope was marked clearly to show details of the location, variety, reaction type and date of disease collection. Disease score was given with the help of modified Cobb scale (Peterson et al., 1948) based upon percentage of the plant infected and type of disease reaction.

In Maharashtra state, districts namely; Nashik, Pune, Satara, Ahmednagar and adjoining Mahabaleshwar foot hills area were surveyed in winter wheat cropping season 2021-22. The data recorded at the range of latitude from 17.9421 to 19.9010, longitude from 73.8981 to 74.4145 and elevation from 536m to 760m ASL during 2021-22 in first week of February. Majorly grown wheat varieties in surveyed locations were as MACS 6478, NIAW 3170, NIDW-15, Golden-23, Phule samadhan, Ajeet-102, Trimbak, Amber-28, MACS 6222, Ajay-72, Green gold, NIAW 1994, Garima and local cultivars (Table 1). Out of them MACS 6478, MACS 6222, NIAW 3170 and NIAW 1994 were showed highly resistant to brown rust with disease score zero. Varieties Golden 23, Green gold, Phule samathan, Trimbak and NIDW 15 were showed moderately susceptible reaction for brown rust with disease score 20MS to 40MS. Remaining cultivars viz., Local, Ajay 72, Ajeet-102, Amber-28 and Garima were showed susceptible disease reaction with disease score 10S to 40S. During survey and surveillance 2021-22 altitude ranges from 536m to 760m ASL, it was found that in all locations of Maharashtra around Mahabaleshwar foothills, the brown rust incidence was everywhere. Rust score range from 0 to 40S during 2021-22. The maximum brown rust incidence was reported at 5 locations viz; Lonand, Khandala; NH60-Sinnar; SH63-Surul, Wai; Kenjal-Wai and NH48, Khandala of Satara and Nashik districts where disease score was 40S at altitude 629m, 671m, 712m, 758m, 760m ASL. The minimum brown rust incidence was reported at 12 locations of Pune, Ahmednagar, Satara and Nashik where disease score was 10S at altitude 565m (Pune Nashik road, Sinnar), 673m (NH60,Sinnar), 641m(Nandur Shingote Marhal road, Sinnar), 632m (Nandur Shingote Marhal road, Nandur Shingote), 583m (Sangamner, Ahmednagar), 644m (Pune Nashik road, Ambegaon, Pune), 712m (SH63, Surul, Wai, Satara), 556m (NH965D, Margaon, Bramati, Pune), 615m (Songaon Shendre road, Supe, Bramati, Pune), 596m (SH62, Kedgaon, Daund, Pune), 590m (Parner, Ahmednagar) and 596m (Parner, Ahmednagar) ASL. Disease score 20MS was revealed in 7 locations at altitude 665m (NH60, Sinnar, Nashik), 639m (NH60, Nandur Shinghote, Sinnar, Nashik), 627m (SH72, Wai, Satara), 705m (Wai, Satara), 668m (NH48, Khandala, Satara), 668m (Khandala, Satara) and 536m (SH50, Parner, Ahmednagar) ASL. 20S disease score was reported on 4 locations at altitude 572m (Pune, Nashik road, Sinnar, Nashik), 626m (Shirur Satara road, Khandala, Satara), 597m (Kedgaon, Daund, Pune) and 549m (SH62, Pargaon, Daund, Pune) ASL. Around 4 locations were reported where disease score was zero at altitude 537m (Pargaon, Daund, Pune), 604m (Daund, Pune), 560m (Shirur Satara road, Baramati, Pune) and 693m (NH60, Sangamner, Pune) ASL.  

Table 1: Different locations of survey in Maharashtra during winter wheat season 2021-22.

After Maharashtra the survey was carried out in major wheat growing areas of Madhya Pradesh during the winter wheat cropping season 2021-22 and 35 fields of farmers were covered. The survey data was collected by using GoogleMap and Notecam lite-GPS. The data recorded at the range of latitude from 22.4458 to 25.7848, longitude from 77.2194 to 81.7500 and elevation from 203m to 900m ASL. In surveyed areas wheat varieties GW-273, HI1500, LOCAL, GW-322, GW-323, MP-4010, MP-3020, WH-147, LOK-1, GW-173, MP1203, Tejash, MP-1605 and MP-3382 were grown by farmers. Out of them zero disease score was recorded on three varieties viz., MP-1203, Tejash, MP-1605. Moderately resistant reaction was shown by varieties HI-1500 and moderately susceptible reaction shown by MP-4010, MP-3020. Highly susceptible reaction was shown by varieties GW-273, GW-322, GW323, Local, WH-147, LOK-1 and GW-173. The maximum brown rust incidence with 40S disease score were recorded in 9 locations at the range of altitude 206m (Jhansi- Mirjapur H., Baragaon) to 460m (Gairatganj road, Narwar) ASL. The minimum disease score 00 was reported on 4 locations with altitude 318m (Unnamed road, Chakladi), 362m (Bhainsar), 354m (Panna- Satna road) and 529m (Amarkantak road, Didwapani) ASL. The disease score 5MR and 10MR were recorded at altitude 305m (Salkanpur road, Maliwayan) ASL and 318m (Unnamed road, Chakladi) ASL respectively. The disease score 20S was reported on 13 locations at the range of elevation i.e. 229m (Unnamed road, Chaubara) to 900m (Bijauri) ASL and 10S was recorded on 3 places at altitude 298m (Panna Khajuraho road, Moraha) , 205m (Jhansi road, Gwalior) and 224m (Panna- Satna road) ASL respectively. 

In 2022-23, total 37 farmer’s fields were surveyed in Maharashtra at the range of latitude from 18.0684 to 19.9002, longitude from 73.8460 to 74.3407 and elevation from 297m to 703m ASL (from Table 3). The disease score were recorded 00, trace, 10S, 10MS, 20S, 20MS and 40S. The maximum fields (13) showed 10S disease score at the range of latitude from 18.1349 to 19.8673, longitude from 73.8460 to 74.3407 and elevation from 297m to 703m ASL. A very few farmer’s fields (02) showed the maximum disease score 40S at the range of latitude from 18.0684 to 18.8517, longitude from 73.8997 to 74.2121 and elevation from 603m to 610m ASL. Six locations were found which showed 20S disease score at the range of latitude from 18.0833 to 19.6522, longitude from 73.9126 to 742924 and elevation from 530m to 685m ASL. The altitude of locations where score was observed to be 00 are as follows 529m (Pune Nashik road, Chincholi, Sinnar), 573m (Sangamner bypass), 604m (Hiwargaon Pawasa, Sangamner bypass) , 668m (SH53, Ghodegaon, Ambegaon, Pune), 558m (NH965D, Baramati, Pune), 560m (Shirur Satara road, Baramati) and 588m (Sangamner, Ahmednagar) ASL respectively. 

During 2022-23 in Madhya Pradesh 40 locations were surveyed at the range of latitude from 21.7706 to 25.2772, longitude from 77.0926 to 82.6429 and elevation from 210m to 609m ASL (from Table 4). The maximum disease score was 20S which were observed at 20 locations at the range of latitude from 21.7706 to 24.9927, longitude from 77.1720 to 82.6429 and elevation from 210m to 609m ASL on wheat varieties C 306, Sriram-303, GW-322, LOK 1, Malwa shakti, WBC and local. The 10S disease score were observed at 08 locations at the range of latitude from 21.9112 to 25.2772, longitude from 77.0926 to 82.5307 and elevation from 227m to 508m ASL. The minimum disease score 00 were recorded on 5 locations on varieties HI 8713, Tejash on altitude 309m (Mohari, Tikamgarh), 347m (Sarasdole, Narsinghpur), 345m (Itarsi, Narmadapuram), 352m (Batera, Raisen) and 457m (Dobhi, Sehore) ASL. Moderately resistant reaction was recorded on HI1544, MP 1203 with disease score 5MR and 10MR.

In Maharashtra, total 73 farmer’s fields were surveyed in both years and no one field was found free from wheat brown/leaf rust. The varietal scenario was almost similar in both years with slightly changes. In Madhya Pradesh total 75 locations were surveyed in both year and here also no any location field was noted free from disease occurrence. Most probably farmers of this area used to grow susceptible and old cultivars every year. In general, the distribution of leaf rust in both states was less in 2022-23 than 2021-22. This may be due to unfavorable weather condition during cropping season. Resistance reaction was recorded in four places of Maharashtra. It was evident that four varieties viz., MACS-6478, MACS-6222, NIAW-3170, NIAW-1994 were shown to have resistance reaction everywhere under the areas surveyed and this trend of occurrence was also almost similar in both the years of survey and surveillance. Around 5 varieties were recorded to have moderately susceptible reaction viz., golden-23, Phule samadhan, trimbak, NIDW-15, Green gold and trend of this resistance reaction was almost similar in both the years. If we categories the occurrence of disease according to elevation of the location under survey it was found that irrespective of elevation ranging from 536m to 760m ASL, the disease prevalence was there and the disease score was largely found to be dependent on the genotypes under cultivation. It means the varieties which are resistant at lower altitude were also found to be resistant at higher altitude and vice versa. These finding was supported by Game and Mhaske, 2023 who surveyed in the February month at villages Talegaon, Dindori, Awankhed, Ozarkhed, Ambaner, Sajola, Khirad, Tirhal, Budruk, Chankapur and Payarpada in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The varieties under cultivation were found Ajeet 102, Ajay 72, Phule Samadhan, Kohinoor, Supreme MW 74, Lok-1, and GW 496 etc. First natural incidence of leaf rust was reported at Ozarkhed in Dindori tehsil on off types in variety Ajeet 102 which was sporadic and upto 40S and second field with incidence of leaf rust found at Tirhal Budruk in Kalvan tehsil on variety Lok-1, where the incidence was in traces and sporadic with low severity. Wheat rust survey was also conducted by Kumar et al. (2023) in Satara, Pune and Ahmednagar districts in Maharashtra. Incidence of leaf-rust was observed upto 20S on off-type wheat and upto 5S on improved varieties

In Madhya Pradesh, brown rust occurrence was observed in various districts viz., Narmadapuram, Harda, Raisen, Sehore, Bhopal, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Dindori, Sahdol. During January 22 incidence of leaf rust (5S to 10S) was observed on some off types and local varieties at Sanghi, Satara, Nashik, Pune and Kolhapur districts and other areas including Dhule, Rahuri, Pravaranagar in Maharashtra. Similarly, up to 10S brown rust severity was reported from Fanda and Jagriya villages in Sehore district and Donta Jagir, Bhatuni and other village in district Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. Wheat monitoring teams of different zones also reported the occurrence of wheat rusts in the areas visited by them (Anonymous, 2022). Likewise, leaf (brown) rust was reported during February and March from few farmers field in Bihar and Maharashtra only (Anonymous, 2021).

A continuous survey in hot spot areas against rust of wheat is very important for detecting virulence composition and races development for wheat improvement said by Admassu et al. (2009). In present study, the level of disease severity in surveyed locations found in most of areas high this was supported by the findings of Tomar et al. (2020) who conducted survey in Uttar Prdesh and adjoining area of Madhya Pradesh. Findings showed that the brown rust occurred in all surveyed field with low to high severity and none field was free from leaf rust disease. Similarly, Hailu and Woldeab (2015) surveyed the wheat growing areas and leaf rust severity found up to 80S in Emmer wheat. The monitoring and surveillance in wheat growing areas is very necesarry for sustainable production and food security. Joshi et al. (1974) reported rust population from southern foci moves northwards towards Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and another population moves from the northern foot hills towards the South and finally both the populations, moving in opposite directions merge into each other. Wheat disease surveys conducted since 1967 have also demonstrated that the first build up of leaf rust like stem rust takes place in the plains of Karnataka in South India, generally in the last week of December. At the same time the infection is also established in the foot hills of Bihar and Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Another epidemic of brown rust occurred in 1993 in about 4 million hectares of North Western India. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal grow nearly 37 mha of wheat, of which 30 million are at risk to leaf rust losses. During 1971–1972 and 1972–1973 there were severe outbreaks of leaf rust in North Western India. Losses were estimated for varieties Kalyansona (5.9%), K-68 (24.1%) and Sonalika (2.0%) according to view of Joshi et al. (1975). Bilgili (2013) determined wide spread of leaf rust and yellow rust of wheat in all surveyed fields out of three type rust of wheat. This study also occurrence of brown rust found everywhere from low to high disease score means it is required regular monitoring any time become threat for wheat production.

Table 2: Different locations of survey in Madhya Pradesh during winter wheat season 2021-22.

Table 3: Different locations of survey in Maharashtra during winter wheat season 2022-23.

Table 4: Different locations of survey in Madhya Pradesh during winter wheat season 2022-23.

Survey is a regular process for tracking of pathogen behavior in growing field. It is also important for developing gene deployment frame for this particular area to minimize the disease occurrence.

Amita Pachori, K.K. Mishra and Sushma Nema  (2025). Initial Rust Incidence, Tracking and Tracing in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Biological Forum, 17(4): 09-16.