Identity and prevalence of wheat damping-off fungal pathogens in different fields of Basrah and Maysan provinces

Abstract Background Wheat is the most consumed cereal crops in world infected by several pathogens and pests causing significant losses. The threatening are fungi which cause serious diseases on roots, leaves heads as one of specific wheat-growing countries. This study aimed to identify evaluate prevalence damping-off fungal different wheat fields at Basra Maysan provinces. Results Disease incidence determination isolation were carried out from two sites province (Al-Qurna Al-Madinah) three (Al-Amarah, Kumit, Ali Al Sharqi Gharbi). Al-Qurna had highest disease (32%), while Ali-Alsharqi lowest (11%). Fourteen genera identified. Rhizoctonia solani appearance (21.6) frequency (20.20%) percentages followed Fusarium (16.11,14.01) Macrophomina phaseolina (12.2,11.1) percentages. Seed treatment with R. (Rs1 isolate) showed decrease germination (56.6%) compared F. M. treatments. Conclusions These results revealed all examined both province; was seen fields); identification that isolated fungus . Laboratory experiments pathogenicity varied according isolate type.