GENETIC AND CHEMICAL APPROACHES TO MANAGE RYE LEAF RUST (PUCCINIA RECONDITA F.SP. SECALIS) IN NATURAL CONDITIONS FROM MARGINAL AREAS

Pathogens and pests are predicted to spread to areas where they were previously irrelevant due to climate change and human-induced changes, posing new management issues for crops, especially in cropping systems based on minimal cereal crop diversification. In temperate areas of Central and Eastern Europe, rye (Secale cereale) is a minor cereal that contributes to crops diversification particularly in marginal situations where soil and climate are unfavorable for wheat production. During 2021-2022 growing season, a plant–pest-pathogen interaction profile was observed on four rye genotypes (Binnto, Inspector, Serafino, Suceveana) and also was observed the effect of different chemical and biological pesticide formulations on rye leaf rust in a randomized complete block design with three replications in dry area from Research and Development Station for Plant Culture on Sands Dăbuleni in South of Romania. Among all evaluated rye genotypes the greatest resistance was noticed in Serafino that recorded the lowest AUDPC value (51,76), while the most susceptible was Suceveana genotype with AUDPC = 279,55.  The best protection against leaf rust was provided by Poliversum (the 1st assessment – attack degree = 3,23%; the 2nd assessment – attack degree = 7,56%). Negative and significant correlation of leaf rust attack degrees with grain yield (r =-0,9393***) were found during 2021-2022 cropping season