Influence of Weather Variables on Progression of Rust Disease (Phakopsora gossypii) in Cotton

Background: To effectively manage the rust disease, it is crucial to understand how weather conditions impact both the host stage and disease development, as environmental factors significantly influence its severity and occurrence. Methods: The effect of weather factors on the development of cotton rust in different varieties and Bt cotton hybrids were investigated during kharif 2021-2023 at ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), coimbatore under irrigated conditions. Result: The development of rust during different years in the same varieties/hybrids showed similar trend. Correlation analysis of pooled data indicated strong correlations between rust intensity and maximum temperature, wind speed and relative humidity in both varieties and hybrids. Positive and significant correlation of wind speed was recorded both in varieties and hybrids. Multiple regression analysis of pooled data showed that weather parameters including RH I, SSH and windspeed significantly influenced the development of rust disease.