Possible Biocontrol of Loose Smut of Wheat (Ustilago segetum var. tritici)

Loose smut of wheat (Triticum aestivum Lin.) caused by Ustilago segetum var. tritici is a major disease in north-western India. Loss caused by the disease varies from about 1 to 10 per cent (Joshi et al., 1985). The popular high yielding cultivars are genetically susceptible to the disease and treatment with systemic fungicides is the only means of disease control. Biological control of soil-borne diseases using toxin or antibiotic producing strains and those that are mycophagous have opened up potential areas for research (Cook, 1984). Therefore, an experiment was laid out using microbial antagonists to control the loose smut.