Correlation analysis of Yellow Rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici) disease, and yield components of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in East Gojjam, Ethiopia

Field experiment was conducted in 2021/2022 cropping system at Debre Markos University Research and Demonstration site. The study area was selected based on wheat production potentials and hot spot for the occurrences of yellow rust on wheat. The study was aimed at investigating the correlation between yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici) disease parameters, and yield components of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment consisted of five wheat varieties (Kakaba, Honqolo, Liben, Lemu, and Wane) and three fungicides (Tilt (25 EC), Natura (250 EW) and Takeoff (293 SC)) including unsprayed fungicide plot (control) were used as treatment. It was conducted by using randomized complete block design with three replications in factorial arrangement. The result of Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici) disease parameters (severity, area under disease progress curve and incidence had positive and strong relationships among them but negatively and strongly related with yield components including thousand seed weight, test weight, biomass, yield and harvesting index of bread wheat. While there was strong and positive correlation among agronomical parameters except between harvesting index and biomass. Totally there was negative and high significant relationship between yellow rust disease and Agronomical parameters.