Occurrence of Pyrenophora Tritici-repentis causing tan spot in argentina

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is currently considered as one of the most important crops worldwide. It can be affected by several diseases. However, only a limited number of them, like ‘tan spot’ resulting from the fungus produced by Pyrenophora tritici–repentis, causes serious problems to the crop and may be given special attention. Tan spot has signifi cant economic consequences. In recent years, the incidence of the disease has increased in many areas where wheat is cultivated, becoming a serious problem by causing losses of up to 70%. It has been found in a lot of countries worldwide: North Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas (USA), Canada, Australia, Asia, Pakistan, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, France, Denmark and Belgium. This disease has increased its incidence, prevalence and severity, particularly in the whole of the South Cone region in the last few years: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay. Tan spot is one of the most destructive and widespread problems of wheat production in Argentina. In this chapter, we summarize the knowledge of many and diverse contributions and we highlight what is known and unknown about the disease.