Abstract

Wheat productivity is compromised by the number of diseases that affect it. The diseases control is basically effected by the use of fungicides, however, biological control has become important due especially to the demand for foods free of chemical compounds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of yeasts in reducing diseases through the treatment of wheat seeds and the spraying of plants in the field. The tests were carried out in the field and laboratory, with the yeasts Candida albicans, Cryptococcus laurentii, Pichia guilliermondii, Rhodotorula glutinis, Zygoascus hellenicus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared with fungicide (carbendazim) and control with water. In the laboratory, seed health, germination, germination speed index, cold test and accelerated aging were analyzed. In the field, seed treatment and aerial application were carried out when the flag leaf was emitted and the occurrence of diseases, chlorophyll content, production components, productivity and production quality was evaluated. For the variables of production and quality of the wheat in field, the yeast Z. hellenicus was efficient for productivity resembling the fungicide. For the severity of diseases in field, parameters related to germination and seed health, yeasts were not efficient.

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