Distribution, Intensity, and Morphological Variability of Wheat Blotch (Septoria Tritici) in Central-South-Eastern of Oromia, Ethiopia

Girma Ababa1*, Girma Adugna2 and Bekele Hundie3

1 Department of Agricultural, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Pawe, Ethiopia

2 Department of Horticulture and Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma

3 Department of Agricultural, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Assela, Ethiopia

*Corresponding Author:
Girma Ababa
Department Agricultural,
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research,
Pawe,
Ethiopia
E-mail: girmaabebe65@gmail.com

Received Date: January 19, 2021;Accepted Date: February 02, 2021;Published Date: February 09, 2021

Citation: Ababa G, Adugna G, Hundie B (2021) Distribution, Intensity, and Morphological Variability of Wheat Blotch (Septoria tritici) in Central-South-Eastern of Oromia, Ethiopia. Res J Plant Pathol Vol.4
No.S1:002

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Abstract

In Ethiopia, studies of the wheat Septoria Tritici Blotch (STB) status at a different location, on agronomic practice, and pathogen variability are greatly lost. Therefore, this study was intended to assess the distribution and intensity of the STB, as well as to study the morphological variability of isolates. Zones and districts were selected purposively whereas kebeles by systematic sampling method in central-southeastern of Oromia. Mean comparison of the fixed effects was analyzed by using LSD tests in GLM. The variability of isolates was identified by their colony texture, forms, and colors. The association between disease intensity and independent variable were analyzed by Pearson correlation and its magnitudes were predicted by multiple regressions. A total of 108 fields were assessed and % prevalence of zones (88.9%-100%) and districts (77.8-100%) was documented. The STB intensity of the districts was not significantly different (p<0.05) however; severity of the zones was highly different (p<0.01). The correlation between weed infestation (r=0.78 and r=0.2) and growth stages (r=0.72 and r=0.36) was positive but the plowing frequency (r=-0.77 and r= -0.43) was negative with incidence and severity respectively. Forty-three isolates are grouped into four colors, three textures, and growth form. The current study areas are more favorable for the STB epidemics in which it should be targeted areas for integrated management. Our findings indicate that proper weed management, soil tillage, and crop rotation are interventions that can reduce the impact of wheat STB.

Keywords

Distribution; Intensity; Variability; STB; Wheat

Introduction

Wheat Septaria Tritici Blotch (STB) is a distractive disease that causes problems in many parts of the world [1], and Zymoseptoria tritici is a causal agent of STB [2-5]. It is a hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen [6] and causes a considerable yield loss on the wheat by affecting the photosynthesis part [7,8].

The epidemics of STB in wheat fields largely depend on host susceptibility and prevailing weather conditions [1]. It is also influenced by inoculum density, the pathogenicity of the strains, and cultural practices [9,10]. The infected plant debris, seeds, and alternate hosts serve as sources of the primary inoculums. [11-13]

Wheat yield losses of 30%–54% 1 and even>60% [14] have been attributed to STB infe stations. In Ethiopia, STB causes 25% to 82% wheat yield loss in the increasing incidence and severity in the major production areas [15-19]. Yield losses attributed to heavy incidences of STB have been reported to range from 31% to [20] to 53% 8. The Septoria tritici blotch occurs throughout the world. [11]

In Ethiopia, the occurrence of STB was reported for the first time by [21] now a day Septoria tritici is distributed in Oromoia, Amhara, SNNPR region of Ethiopia. [19,22,23] Its intensity is high in the highlands of the central part of Ethiopia [24] and high in high humidity, altitude, and warmer temperature environments [1, 11, 23,25].

The high intensity is expected from the diverse population of the pathogen. The studies of colony morphology on different media indicate that the Septoria tritici has different growth forms, colors, and textures [10,26,27]. This means that the pathogen is very variable due to genetics among the population since location is not affected by their variability [9,28].

Besides, the assessment, one of the few kinds of research done on STB in Ethiopia was fungicide and wheat varieties evaluation under natural infection. But, morphological and pathogenic variability studies of Septoria tritici isolates are not thus far done. The disease is dynamic so; continuous disease assessment and studies of disease variability are used for early alarming of the farmers as well as governments, designing of management practice, and further studies. Then, this study aimed to observe the STB distribution and intensity from the area which before not studied and to identified the variability of collected isolates based on their colonies colours, growth forms, and textures.

Materials and Methods

Description of the survey areas

Septoria tritici field surveys were conducted in central- southeastern parts of Oromia in Ethiopia during the 2020 cropping season. The surveyed areas include Arsi, West Arsi, Bale, and West Shoa zones. Geographical locations of the survey zones located in Oromia are shown in Figure 1.

pathology-survey

Figure 1: Locations of STB survey area in 2019 in Oromia, Ethiopia.

Sampling method and strategy

The wheat STB survey was conducted from flowering to maturity growth stages. The four zones and three districts were selected based on a purposive sampling method from the region. Three kebeles within each district and three farms within each kebele were assessed at 5-10 km intervals along the main, available, and accessible roadsides (Table 1). As well, farmer’s training centers and research stations were simultaneously surveyed. Infected wheat leaf tissues by STB were collected and ninety- one green leaves that had pycnidia and few dried samples were collected from 108 farmer’s fields in paper bags for isolation of the pathogen (Figure 2). Collected samples were labelled with the name of the zone, district, kebele, variety, altitude, latitude, longitude, and date of collection. The sample was dried under natural air at about 25°C to prevent secondary infection and kept at room temperature.

Zones Districts No. of farmers field assessed/ kebele No. of farmers field assessed /district Longitude Latitude Altitude range (m a.s.l.)
West Shoa Welmera 3 9 038028'60'' 09052'6'' 2252-2577
Tokekutaye 3 9 037043'45'' 08051'31'' 2245-2792
Ambo 3 9 037050'49'' 08053'26'' 2463-2988
West Arsi Adaba 3 9 039026'59'' 07001'33'' 2357-2498
Dodola 3 9 039003'36'' 07059'33' 2410-2573
Assassa 3 9 039009'29'' 07002'28'' 2386-2573
Arsi Sire 3 9 039030'69'' 08015'53'' 2018-2366
Hetosa 3 9 039014'37'' 08010'45'' 2123-2244
Lemunabilbilo 3 9 039016'22'' 07018'46'' 2602-2938
Bale Sinana 3 9 0400'17'48' 07064’30’’ 2481-2625
Goba 3 9 039058'23'' 07011’40’’ 2392-2472
Agarfa 3 9 039056'53'' 07016'36'' 2344-2462
Total   36 108      

Table 1: Description of surveyed areas in 2020 in central–southeast parts of Oromia, Ethiopia.

XXXXXXXXXX

Figure 2: Symptoms of Septoria tritici on the leaves, of the wheat plant (a and b).

Diseases assessment

A 1 m2 quadrant was thrown at three-five points at random depending on the size of the field, by having 15 meters intervals along the segment. Fourteen plants were randomly picked from each 1 m2 quadrant and assessed for STB incidence and severity [1]. Septoria tritici prevalence was calculated as the number of fields infected divided by a total number of fields assessed and incidence as the infected plant divided by total plant assessed from three quadrants [29]. Its severities were recorded using a double digit-scale [30]. This scale (00-99) measures overall foliar infection on the whole plant where the first digit (0-9), represents the STB upward movement on the plant and the second digit (0-9) points determine its severity [1]. Its severity index was determined by the formula (%)=D1/Y1*D2/Y2*100, where, D1 representing STB upward movement, whereas D2 is the severity. Y1 represents the maximum STB upward movement and Y2 represents the maximum severity [31].

Data of agronomic practice Table 2, altitude Table 1, and crop growth stage were gathered to do an association with Septoria tritici intensity. The longitude and latitude of each field were taken using a global positioning system (GPS) (Table 1).

Plowing frequency Weed infestation Crop growth stage
Qualitative measurement Quantitative levels Qualitative measurement Quantitative levels Qualitative measurement
One times 1 Low 1 Flowering 1
Two times 2 Medium 2 Milking 2
Three times 3 Good 3 Dough 3
Four times 4 Very good 4 Maturity 4

Table 2: Descriptions of agronomic practice and crop growth stage with their qualitative measurement and quantitative levels.

Isolation process

The isolation process was carried out in the Microbiology Laboratory at Holeta National Biotechnology Research Center Holeta, Ethiopia. The isolation was done with some modification of [1]. In the first step, the filter paper was placed on the Petri dish and wetted with distilled water. Then, 7 cm segment of wheat leaves were placed on the wetted filter paper.

That petridish was incubated at 24°C for 2-8 hours depending on the stages of leaves for enhancing oozing of pycnidiospores through an opening of the pycnidium (ostiole), cirrhus. With the help of a dissecting microscope or stereoscope, the oozes formed were transferred to Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol succinate 250 mg for 1 litter distilled water 1. However, pycnidia that didn’t form ooze were removed from the leaf epidermis by a sterile needle and transferred to PDA plates.

After seven days the colony was picked by sterile loops and streaked onto PDA plates. The streaked plates were incubated in the incubation chamber adjusted at 24oC for seven days for enhancing fungal growth. The single pinkish-orange, dark hard color colonies that corresponding with [10] were further streaked on PDA plates and then the single colony was picked and was spread on new PDA plates without antibiotics.

Colonial morphological feature

Based on the macroscopic observation the cultural appearances (colony colour, forms, and texture) were distinguished on PDA. A laboratory manual and a pictorial atlas for the identification of fungi by [32] were equally used in the description of colony morphology.

Data analysis

The SAS version 9.3 statistical software [33] packages were used to analyze the data. Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis confirmed the significant differences (p<0.05) and revealed a nonnormal distribution of survey data, so, the survey data were transformed by using ARCSINE [9]. Except for farmer’s fields, fixed factors were arranged in three stages of nested design [34-42], and farmer’s fields were treated as a random effect. In the three stages of nested design, kebeles were nested under districts whereas districts under zones. GLM procedure was used to analyze the variance and the mean comparison of fixed effects was separated by LSD mean comparison. The association between STB intensity and agronomic practice, altitude, and crop growth stages was analyzed by Pearson correlation and its intensity magnitudes were predicted by multiple regressions.

Results

Distribution of Septoria tritici across a location

Wheat Septoria tritici was prevalent in all the surveyed areas with 100%, 88.8%, and 96.3% prevalence in Bale, Arsi, and both in West Arsi and West Shoa respectively. From the surveyed zones the highest prevalence (95.4%) of Septoriatriticiwas recorded. In eight districts, its prevalence was very high 100% and the lowest prevalence (77.8%) was scored from Lemunabilbilo district (Figure 3).

pathology-intensity

Figure 3: Disease distribution and intensity in 2019 in central-southeast of Oromia, Ethiopia.

The intensity of Septoria tritici across a location

Septoria tritici incidence was not significantly different both at zones and districts levels (p<0.05). This showed that it was intensively infected the wheat crops at all of the surveyed areas in a comparable manner. The STB incidence of West Shoa, West Arsi, Arsi, and Bale zones was 95.7%, 94.7.9%, 87.7%, and 99% respectively. The highest incidence (100%) was documented at three districts and the lowest 75% incidence was registered at Lemunabilbilo district (Figure 3).

The STB severity index showed highly significant (p<0.01) differences between the four zones. The severity index of Arsi and Bale zones significantly differed from each other but the other zones were the same (Table 3). However, the severity index of districts not significantly differed (p<0.05). The maximum 42% severity index was scored at Tokekutaye and the lowest 12% severity index was recorded at Lemunabilbilo districts (Figure 3).

Zones Disease Severity Index (%)
West Shoa 31.69ab
West Arsi 23.5ab
Arsi 15.64b
Bale 34.57a
CV 40.7

Table 3: The effect of four zones on disease severity in 2019 in central-southeast of Oromia, Ethiopia.hiopia.

Association of STB with agronomic practices, altitude, and wheat growth stages

The severity index of wheat Septoria tritici showed a positive correlation (r=0.78) a highly significant (P<0.001) difference with weed infection levels. A negative correlation was observed between plowing frequency and STB severity index (r=-0.77) and incidence (r=-0.43). Strong positive correlations (r=0.72) were observed between Septoria tritici severity and wheat crop stages. From our current results, the increment of altitude in meters did not show a significant correlation with disease intensity (P< 0.05) (Table 4).

Variables ALT WIL PF GS DSI DI
ALT 1 0.01ns 0.012ns -0.002ns -0.008ns -0.14ns
WIL   1 -0.66*** 0.69*** 0.78*** 0.2*
PF     1 -0.68*** -0.77*** -0.43***
GS       1 0.72*** 0.36***
DSI         1 0.36***
DI           1

Table 4: Pearson’s correlation coefficients between STB Intensity with Agronomic practice, altitude, and crop growth stages, in 2019.

Multiple regressions

The amount of disease intensity was predicted and a negative relationship was observed between disease incidence and plowing frequency in high significance (P<0.01).

No significance of other factors observed with disease incidence. The disease severity predicted was increased in highly significant (P<0.001) as weed infestation increased, it was decreased in highly significant (P<0.001) as plowing frequency increased, and increased significantly (P<0.05) as crop growth stages increased but, no significant with altitude at (P<0.05) (Table 5).

Predictor Parameter estimate
Incidence Severity
Constant 167 42
GS 4.44ns 3.19*
PF -11.8** -10.4***
WIL -4.54ns 9.73***
ALT -0.0141ns -0.00075ns

Table 5: Multiple regression of Septoria tritici intensity over agronomic practice, altitude, and crop growth stages in 2019 in the Oromia, Ethiopia.

Microscopic identification

The Septoria tritici isolates were produced pycnidiospores of very thin, and more than three septations and few curves in shape (Figure 4). Its pycnidiospore also had four septa.

pathology-wheat

Figure 4: Pycnidiospores of wheat Septoria tritici.

Morphological variability

Six isolates of the pinkish colony had a creamy texture and three growth forms: dense, medium, and sparse growth forms. The isolates of whitish color had a creamy texture and the ooze rushes the lines of sowing. The isolates of dark colours are compact, dense, and sparse growth on PDA. The isolates of brown color are the intermediate, solid, and creamy texture whereas the growth forms are sparse and dense (Table 6).

Zones No of isolates Colony color Colony growth Texture
West Shoa 23 Bark, pinkish, and brown colors Dense, intermediate and  sparse compact, cream, and  intermediate
West Arsi 6 Brown, dark colors Dense, intermediate and sparse intermediate and compact
Arsi 6 Whitish, pinkish, and bark color Dense, intermediate and sparse Cream and compact
Bale 9 Pinkish, brown, and bark color Dense, intermediate and sparse Cream, intermediate, and compact

Table 6: Morphological variability of Septoria tritici isolates in 2019 in central-southeast of Oromia, Ethiopia.

Only two (4.5%) isolates had whitish colony color of the total isolates. Twenty- eight isolates (63%) of the total isolates produced a colony of black color and this becomes the most dominant. The isolates of brown color are 8 (18.2%) and the pinkish color is 6 (14%) out of the total isolates studied.

Nine isolates derived from Bale samples have different colors. Four isolates had pinkish color, and three had brown whereas two isolates had black colors. One isolate has whitish, three had black and two isolates had pinkish color and those were collected from the Arsi zone. The isolates from West Arsi had one brown, and five black colours. Eighteen isolates from West Shoa had colonies of black color whereas one and four isolates resulted in colonies of pinkish and brown colors, respectively (Figure 5). Forty-four Septoria tritici isolates were derived from 91 samples collected from different zones of the Oromia region (Table 7).

Sr.No Isolate code Geographical source Varieties source
  Zone District Kebele Names
1 EtAm-1 West Shoa Welmera Holeta Agricultural Research Center in the station Alidoro
2 EtAm-2 West Shoa Tokekutaye Handersa Danda’a
3 EtAm-3 West Shoa Tokekutaye Maruf Digalu
4 EtAm-4 West Shoa Ambo Bojibilo Danda’a
5 EtAm-5 West Shoa Ambo Yaechebo Hidasse
6 EtAm-6 West Shoa Tokekutaye Malkedera Danda’a
7 EtAm-9 West Shoa Ambo Kuregatira  
8 EtAm-10 West Shoa Ambo Bojibilo Danda’a
9 EtAm-11 West Shoa Ambo Bojibilo Danda’a
10 EtAm-12 West Shoa Ambo Bojibilo Danda’a
11 EtAm-13 West Shoa Ambo Bojibilo Danda’a
12 EtAm-14 West Shoa Ambo Bojibilo Danda’a
13 EtAm-16 West Shoa Ambo Kibakube Kingbird
14 EtAm-19 West Shoa Ambo Yaechebo Danda’a
15 EtAm-20 West Shoa Tokekutaye Malkedera  
16 EtAm-21 West Shoa Tokekutaye Maruf Hidasse
17 EtAm-22 West Shoa Tokekutaye Maruf Digalu
18 EtAm-23 West Shoa Tokekutaye Maruf Huluka
19 EtAm-26 West Shoa Tokekutaye Gorobiyo Gololcha
20 EtAm-27 West Shoa Tokekutaye Adersabila Hidasse
21 EtAm-28 West Shoa Tokekutaye Adersabila Danda’a
22 EtAm-29 West Shoa Tokekutaye Adersabila Hidasse
23 EtAm-30 West Shoa Tokekutaye Adersabila Hidasse
24 EtB-1 Bale Goba Sinja Hidasse
25 EtB-2 Bale Sinana Shalo Ogolcho
26 EtB-3 Bale Agarfa    
27 EtB-4 Bale Goba Sinja Candidate
28 EtB-5 Bale Agarfa Ilani Ogolcho
29 EtB-6 Bale Sinana Amalama Ogolcho
30 EtB-7 Bale Sinana Robearea Ogolcho
31 EtB-8 Bale Gasera Wute  
32 EtB-10 Bale Goba Misira Ogolcho
33 EtA-3 Arsi Hetosa Hatehandode Ogolcho
34 EtA-4 Arsi Hetosa Hatehandode Kubsa
35 EtA-7 Arsi Hetosa Seruanketo Ogolcho
36 EtA-8 Arsi Lemunabilbilo Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center in sb-station  
37 EtA-11 Arsi Hetosa Hatehandode Kubsa
38 EtA-19 Arsi Tiyo Dosha Danda’a
39 EtSh-1 West Arsi Assassa Debara Ogolcho
40 EtSh-2 West Arsi Dodola Bekola Paven-76
41 EtSh-4 West Arsi Dodola Kechamachare Ogolcho
42 EtSh-5 West Arsi Assassa Edobelo Kubsa
43 EtSh-6 West Arsi Assassa Tuse Kubsa
44 EtSh-7 West Arsi Assassa Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center in sb-station  

Table 7: Collection area and varieties source of Septoria tritici isolates in 2019 in central-southeast of Oromia, Ethiopia.

pathology-colors

Figure 5: The four colors of wheat Septoria tritici isolates on PDA, a. Pinkish color, b and e. Brown color, d. Whitish color, c and f. Black color.

Discussion

The high prevalence of STB in the surveyed areas is attributable to weather conditions that are suitable to the STB development (frequent rains and moderate temperature) .

Previously, reported that 38%-100% Septoria tritici incidence was observed in the altitude range of 2072-3043 m.a.s.l. Besides, the present results show that Septoria tritici is distributed 100% in the surveyed areas confirms that it is a major threat to wheat production in the country. Zymoseptoria tritici is a fungal pathogen that is a causal agent for wheat Septoria tritici. It occurs worldwide in the most wheat-producing countries as diverse as Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, United States, Netherlands, Russia, New Zealand, and Australia. It is a big problem on durum wheat in Iran, Tunisia, and Morocco .

The reason for the high incidence can be recognized as high inoculum level associated with farming systems mainly in the surveyed areas. Farmers generally, do not practice suitable crop rotation systems with non-host plants to the pathogen and grow the wheat from year to year especially at Arsi and Bale zones. This causes the STB rapid inoculum build-up and higher possibilities of inoculum survivals because it overwinters in the soil and decaying plant residues as pycnidia

The high STB incidence was identified throughout this study is due to high inoculum buildup, susceptible cultivars cultivated by the farming communities, and favorable environmental conditions of all agro-ecologies of the surveyed areas of the country.

Most of the farmers in the surveyed area, across zones were not practicing crop rotation with nonhost crops to the pathogen; as well the poor weed management and low plowing frequency are very adapted. Monocropping is common in Arsi and Bale zones relative to central highland areas of Ethiopia.

The increment of the weed population can increase the severity of STB, this could be due to wheat competitions for nutrients, water, space, and sunlight with the weeds consequently; this is increased wheat succulence and reduces its ability for physical defiance mechanism to the pathogen. The plant’s canopy bringing closer the wheat leaves which makes it easier to rain splashes spores dispersal and influencing the pathogen`s life cycle itself .

The microclimate such as the high moisture was always available in the dense plant population which makes it’s a good environment for the pathogen. The greater STB development in the high plant density may be due to a more favorable microclimate produced within the leaf canopy .

Many studies have been made on the impact of environmental factors on Zymoseptoria tritici, suggesting that the most important role is played by temperature fluctuations, because leaves temperature is the temperature of the pathogen`s body that develop onto or into plant leaves, influencing significantly their life cycle. Besides temperature, the moist leaf surface plays an important task in early infections being necessary an amount of rainfall of 10 mm three consecutive wet days with at least 1 mm rain

Septoria tritici severity was decreased as the plowing frequency increased, in which the same result with [42-50] the impact of soil tillage on Zymoseptoria tritici has been studied in few dissimilar geographical areas. However, the contradictory results forwarded as the severity of STB was higher in plowed plots under conventional tillage than in other tillage systems.

During crop cultivation, increasing soil tillage is used for different purposes why because, soil tillage can expose the inoculum to the sunlight and remove the inoculums sources from the soil. As a result, it can be hindering the STB lifecycle to reduce the number of inoculums from the soil .

Once more, STB incidence was decreased as the plowing frequency increased. Rotation to nonhosts and sanitation attained by deep plowing of crop debris can decrease the number of inoculums available to initiate a new STB life cycle. This may be less effective on a field basis, due to the long-distance dispersal of ascospores, however, may be helpful if subsequent within a region.

This result was different from some studies that confirmed low Septoria tritici incidence in zero tillage or conservation tillage. The tan spot and mildew incidence is reduced as the plowing frequency is increased but, Septoria tritici incidence is increased as the plowing frequency is increased in farmer’s fields suggested the opposite results, conservation tillage is supporting the over- summering of septoria tritici.

Throughout the survey work, from the greater part of the district’s the growth stages of wheat were at their dough stage. Although in some districts especially in the midland areas the crop was at its full maturity stage. This difference in growth stage was played an important role in the severity of the Septoria tritici. The positive correlation indicates that as the crop stage increased, the severity of the STB also increased why because of the crop senescence. The reason behind this is the crop becomes loss the ability of physical and chemical defense at the mature stage; then the pathogen can easily penetrate and develop on the crop .

The different reports showed that the increment of altitude in meter negatively correlated with wheat stem rust but from our study, the Septoria tritici intensity is not correlated with altitude in the surveyed areas.

We observed the disease magnitude and generalized that the disease incidence was reduced by 11.84% amount as plowing frequency increased. The disease severity was increased by 9.73% amount as weed infection levels increased however, the disease severity decreased by 10.42% amount as plowing frequency increased. In other factors, disease severity was increased by 3.19% amount in significant as crop growth stages increased from flowering to maturity.

The pycnidiospore of Septoria tritici isolates, differentiated from pycnidiospore of Septoria nodurum that had thick, less than three septations an erect shape. Again the number of septations, shape, and thickness of the germinated spores of those Septoria tritici isolates were the same with 1.

The colony morphology of isolates on a solid PDA medium showed a great diversity of textures, growth forms, and colors. The whitish color isolates were identified from the current studies in which were previously not reported by.

EtAm-14 and EtA-4 had the pinkish color similar to Bale Zone and EtA-3, EtA-8, and EtSh-1 also had the black color similar to the West Shoa zone, this indicates, the location may not affect the outcome of colonies of various colors resulting from isolates plated on PDA media, meaning that the isolates collected from different locations and plated on PDA could have the same or various colors, or the isolates from the same location had different colors and from the same location again have the same color . This study revealed that Septoria tritici isolates colonies varied morphologically being plated on the PDA growth media.

Conclusion

This shows that the Septoria tritici has high diversity in colony morphology which is reported for the first time in our country. From the current observation, the morphologic variability of wheat Septoria tritici isolates in Ethiopia was confirmed.

Since wheat Septoria tritici is highly prevalent and very severe in all central-southeast parts of Ethiopia, and wheat is the 1st most important crop in that area, giving do attention to developing an effective management strategy of STB is very critical. Over, isolates diversity studies depending on their morphology by using different media and spore length, width, and septation number are mandatory.

Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research for financial support of the study, Kulumsa Agricultural research center, and all participants during the survey program.

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors state that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical Statement

This study did not engage in any human or animal testing.

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