Distribution of wheat disease black point (Kernel Smudge) in India

Abstract

Black Point (BP) or Kernel Smudge is major limiting factor for milling and baking property of chapatti and bread respectively in terms of wheat quality deterioration in India. Grain characters related to its size and shape influence the milling yield and harvests with bold grains ensure better returns for the farmer. Extensive field surveys were done in different states of India from 2012 to 2015 to monitor wheat grain samples for Black Point (BP) incidence and severity. During 2012-13 to 2014-15, 19406 grain samples were analyzed at Plant Pathology lab under Crop Protection division of ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India for knowing the Black Point incidence and range of infection in different samples of wheat received from different states of India. The study indicates that Black Point was prevalent during 2012-13 to 2014-15 in states of North Western Plain Zone (NWPZ) from where samples were analyzed but there was difference in the disease incidence in different states. Wide variation in the range of infection existed in different states of India wherein indicates the role of weather factors prevailing in different states at vulnerable stage of the crop in disease outbreak.