The National Agricultural Technology Center has issued the Technical Plan for the Prevention and Control of Wheat Stem Base Rot for the 2023–2024 season.

Release Date:

2023-10-19

　　In recent years, driven by changes in cropping systems and tillage practices—such as returning straw to the field—and compounded by factors like poor cultivar resistance and a warming climate, Wheat Stem base rot is showing a rapidly worsening trend year after year and has become in China… Wheat One of the major diseases in production. This disease not only causes… Wheat Severe yield reductions, coupled with the ability of pathogenic fungi to produce mycotoxins such as vomitoxin, pose a significant threat to food production safety and public health. To advance… Wheat Scientific prevention and control of stem base rot disease to ensure… Wheat To ensure production safety and product quality, the following preventive and control measures are hereby established.
　　I. Prevention and Control Strategies
　　 Wheat Stem base rot primarily infects Wheat At the base of the stem, in Wheat It can cause damage throughout the entire growth period; once it occurs, it is difficult to control. Therefore, we must adopt a “prevention-first, integrated management” approach, with particular emphasis on implementing preventive measures. In terms of control strategies, we should base our efforts on disease-resistant varieties and cultural practices, seed An integrated disease‑management strategy—centered on cultural practices and spring‑time sprays, supplemented by ecological regulation and other measures—effectively controls initial pathogen inoculum, mitigates the severity of later‑stage infections, significantly reduces the risk of epidemic outbreaks, and ensures… Wheat Yield and quality safety.
　　II. Key Points for Prevention and Control
　　(1) Select disease-resistant and tolerant varieties
　　Planting disease-resistant varieties is a method of prevention and control. Wheat Effective measures for stem base rot disease, based on recent field observations and resistance evaluations, include varieties such as Kaimai 18, Zhoumai 24, Fengde Cunmai No. 20, Cunmai 618, Xumai 2023, Fengde Cunmai No. 5, Cunmai 29, Zhengmai 6687, Qiule 168, Luomai 26, Xinong 519, and Zhongyu 1702, among others. Wheat The variety exhibits a certain level of resistance to stem base rot; growers in different regions may select disease‑resistant or tolerant varieties suited to local conditions.
　　(II) Implementing Health-Promoting Cultivation
　　1. Implement rational crop rotation. On fields with recurrent disease outbreaks, rotating with rice, rapeseed, or other crops for 1–2 years can effectively reduce the incidence of stem base rot.
　　2. Fine land preparation. Wheat , Corn In fields under continuous cropping with straw returned to the soil, straw should be thoroughly chopped and decomposed before incorporation. Prior to sowing, perform deep tillage to a depth of 25–30 cm, turning surface straw and residues below the plow layer to reduce pathogen populations and minimize disease incidence and damage. Typically, deep tillage is carried out every 2–3 years. During land preparation, ensure thorough leveling and compaction to maintain a smooth soil surface, thereby enhancing the field’s suitability for sowing. Wheat After sowing, cover the seeds with soil and promptly compact the surface to ensure tight contact between the seed (or root) and the soil, thereby fostering robust seedlings.
　　3. Late sowing at the appropriate time. Localities may, according to local conditions, Wheat The severity of stem base rot is influenced by weather conditions; therefore, when autumn sowing coincides with relatively high temperatures, the planting date may be appropriately delayed. Wheat Sow 5–10 days earlier to reduce pre-winter infection; in late-sown fields, increase the seeding rate appropriately and maintain a planting depth of 3–5 cm.
　　4. Scientific fertilizer and water management. In affected fields, increase applications of phosphate, potash, and zinc fertilizers, while avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization. Ensure timely application of winter irrigation. During the grain-filling stage, dry weather can exacerbate the disease; therefore, prompt irrigation is essential in field management. In saline–alkali areas, using deep groundwater for irrigation may worsen the disease; surface water irrigation is recommended.
　　(3) Strengthen seed Processing
　　Autumn Wheat From sowing until before overwintering is Wheat During the critical period of infection by stem base rot pathogens, implement seed Coating or seed treatment is key to effectively preventing disease onset. In the absence of registered fungicides at present, it can be combined with… Wheat For the prevention of other diseases, select formulations containing fludioxonil‑thiamethoxam, difenoconazole‑fludioxonil‑thiamethoxam, tebuconazole‑imidacloprid, pyraclostrobin‑trifloxystrobin, fludioxonil‑azoxystrobin, fludioxonil‑pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole‑pyraclostrobin, as well as cyproconazole, trifloxystrobin, and others. seed Apply a suspension coating or seed dressing treatment. Wheat seed , prevention Wheat Occurrence of stem base rot.
　　(4) Conduct pest control during the regreening period.
　　In Wheat Spraying fungicides from the green-up to the jointing stage can further mitigate the damage caused by stem base rot, in combination with… Wheat For the control of sheath blight and other seedling-stage diseases, select products such as prothioconazole, propiconazole, cyproconazole, pyraclostrobin, epoxiconazole, cyazofamid, tebuconazole, difenoconazole, and chlorothalonil. Wheat Sprays containing the registered single‑component formulations and their compound preparations, while effectively controlling sheath blight, powdery mildew, and other diseases, also provide concurrent protection against stem base rot.
　　III. Precautions
　　(1) Select appropriate application equipment
　　 Wheat Apply the pesticide from the green-up stage to the jointing stage, preferably using a self-propelled high‑clearance sprayer or a backpack sprayer. During application, lower the nozzle height and adjust its direction, increase the water volume appropriately, and focus on thorough coverage of the target areas. Wheat At the base of the stem, enhance the efficacy of control.
　　(II) Strengthen the composting and decomposition of crop residues
　　 Wheat During harvest, aim for a low stubble height, intensify the chopping and returning of straw to the field, and employ measures such as foliar application of composting agents to accelerate straw decomposition, thereby reducing habitats for pathogenic fungi.
　　(3) Increase the application of biological agents
　　Seed treatment with biocontrol agents such as Bacillus and Trichoderma, as well as the application of microbial inoculants, has effects on… Wheat It has a certain preventive and control efficacy against soil-borne diseases such as stem base rot, and aligns with the goals of green agricultural development. On the basis of trials and demonstrations, localities can formulate integrated strategies that combine biological and chemical agents for disease management, gradually expanding the area under their widespread application.