Summary
Two studies were conducted to monitor changes in diseases of spring wheat, winter wheat, peas and lentils grown under zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT), and conventional tillage (CT).
Tillage practice did not affect leaf spot disease severity on wheat in 9 of 10 site-years monitored. Despite tillage practice, leaf spot was severe only in years of above average rainfall. The most common leaf spot disease at this site was Septoria tritici, (leaf-blotch) followed by Septoria nodorum (leaf and glume blotch) and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (tan spot).
Zero and minimum tillage reduced the severity of common root rot of wheat caused by Cochliobolus sativus, and several Fusarium species. It is usually most severe under dry hot conditions. Tillage treatment had greatest impact in wet years, when conditions were not favorable for pathogen development. Cochliobolus sativus was isolated less frequently under zero tillage treatment while Fusarium was isolated more frequently.
Leaf spot (Mycospharella pinodes) severity on peas was lower under conventional tillage than under minimum tillage or zero tillage in 1994 and 1994.
Root rot on peas was occasionally lower under conventional tillage early in the season, but there were no differences among treatments at maturity.
