Black Pointed Wheat Seeds and Leaf Blight (B. Sorokiniana) Severity : Effect of black pointed seeds of different grades on leaf blight (Bipolaris sorokiniana) development and yield of wheat

Effect of different grades of black pointed seeds on leaf blight severity and healthy seed production of wheat was conducted in field conditions. The grades were; 0= apparently healthy looking seeds (Free from infection), 1= only embryo blackish, 2= embryo and its adjacent area slightly infected, 3= embryo and less than of grains are discolored, 4= embryo and of grains are infected and 5= grains are shriveled, almost completely discolored or more than of grains are discolored. Seedling emergence and vigor index were significantly decreased with the increase of severity grades of black pointed seed. Significantly highest and lowest leaf blight severity was recorded on the plants raised from grade 5 seeds and grade 0 seeds respectively. The highest 1000 seed weight and grain yield was recorded from the plots where apparently healthy seeds were sown. The apparently healthy seeds (grade 0) increased 29.69% grain yield over grade 5 seeds. Findings of the present study emphasized the sowing of physically sorted apparently healthy looking seeds to minimize leaf blight severity and increasing quality yield of wheat.