SCREENING OF COMMERCIAL WHEAT VARIETIES TO SPOT BLOTCH UNDER CONTROLLED AND FIELD CONDITIONS

To determine the resistance level to spot blotch, a lab and field screening of 56 commercial wheat varieties against Bipolaris sorokiniana was conducted at National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad. Out of 56 commercial varieties 12 varieties showed moderate resistance (MR) at 2 scale reaction under In vitro and at 1 scale under In vivo conditions and 2 varieties showed moderate resistance at 2 scale under both conditions. Thirty two varieties showed moderate susceptibility (MS) and susceptibility (S) under controlled conditions but had moderate resistance under field conditions, whereas, 9 varieties including Faisalabad-83, Faisalabad-85, Inqilab-91, Kaghan-93, Kirin-95, Kohinoor-83, MH-97, Rohtas-90 and Zarlashata showed moderate resistance at 1 scale under both controlled and field conditions. These lines can further be exploited in breeding program.