Efficiency of spore traps for monitoring powdery mildew in winter wheat

Wheat powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a widespread disease capable of causing yield losses of up to 100% under high infection pressure. To prevent such losses, regular monitoring of crops is essential to ensure the timely application of plant protection products. Identifying the disease at its initial stage is possible through the early detection of the pathogen. It has been established that spore-trapping devices can detect pathogens when disease development rate is still below 1%, when classical monitoring methods are less effective. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of B. graminis conidial flight in the Central zone of the Krasnodar Territory and to identify the correlation between airborne spore concentration and powdery mildew development in winter wheat crops. This evaluation assesses the effectiveness of spore traps for monitoring and forecasting the disease. The research was conducted at the Federal Scientific Center for Biological Plant Protection (FRCBPP) in 2022–2024. The following winter wheat varieties were selected for the study: Grom, Bezostaya 100, Yuka, Alekseich, and Svarog. Conidia sampling was performed using a vane-type spore trap and a plant spore load assessment device. Simultaneously, powdery mildew development was recorded using classical phytopathological methods. The study characterized the dynamics of B. graminis conidial flight in the Central zone of the Krasnodar Territory: dispersal begins with the spring resumption of wheat vegetation, peaks during the stem elongation stage, and gradually decreases after the emergence of the flag leaf. A significant correlation was found between airborne spore concentration and the development of powdery mildew in the investigated crops.

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