Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Megersa Terefa; Adisu Regassa; Shalema Feyissa

doi:doi:10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11

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Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Megersa Terefa^*

, Adisu Regassa, Shalema Feyissa

Published in Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 1 January 2026 Accepted: 11 March 2026 Published: 20 April 2026

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Abstract

Wheat and barley production in Ethiopia is challenged with different biotic and a biotic factors. Rusts and Septoria tritici blotch in wheat and spot blotch, stem rust, scald and loose smut in barley are among the most important biotic constraints. This study was designed to identify the distribution, incidence and severity of major wheat and barley diseases in the highland of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 69 wheat fields were assessed for two years (2022& 2023) during the main cropping season in major wheat and barley growing areas of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Stem rust, yellow rust and Septoria tritici blotch were the most widely distributed disease in the surveyed fields with disease prevalence percentage of 86, 75 & 60.5% respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity values for stem rust were (73%, 54.9%) recorded in Jida and Dagam district respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity of leaf rust were recorded (52.1%, 54%) in Dagam and wachale district respectively. There were incidences and severities of wheat rusts varied among wheat varieties in the season. The mean disease incidence and severity of Septoria Tritici blotch were recorded (61.6%, 48.7%) in wachale and Debrelibanos.respectivel. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley stem rust was recorded (67.3% and 67.5%) in Dagam District respectively. The disease intensity across the survey areas were varies for all diseases. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley spot blotch was also recorded (66.8% and 51.16%) in Dagam and Wachale districts respectively. The present findings confirmed, wheat yellow rust and stem rust also Septoria tritici blotch and spot blotch, stem rust, Loose smut and scald in barley found to be major important cereal diseases in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Hence, it is better to use an appropriate management method like the use of improved varieties and supply of resistance varieties for the management options in the study area.

Published in	Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11
Page(s)	17-25
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Wheat, Barley, Incidence, Severity and Prevalence

1. Introduction

Ethiopia is endowed with diverse agro-ecologies suitable for different crops such as cereals, pulses, oil crops, vegetables, fruits, and root crops. The major cereals grown in Ethiopia include tef (Eragrostis tef), maize (Zea mays L.), bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), barley (Hordeum vulgarae L.), sorghum (Sorghum biclor L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and finger millet (Eleusine corocana L.). All of these cereals belong to the family of grasses, Poaceae (formerly Graminae)

[3]

Cereals are the principal crops in Ethiopia in terms of both the area coverage and volume of production. Of the total arable land cultivated annually, cereals occupy the greatest proportion of area coverage accounting for about 81.27% of the total acreage of all grain crops (cereals, oilseeds, and pulses)

[4]

. Among the major cereals, tef accounts for the largest acreage followed by maize, sorghum, barley, wheat, millet and rice. Likewise, the annual production of cereals consistently exceeds all other food crops and contributes about 87.42% of the total annual production. The highest proportion of annual grain production of the country comes from maize which makes up to 27.02% followed by teff (17.29%) of the total produce. Maize also gives the highest yield per unit area (3.7 t/ha), followed by rice (2.8 t/ha), wheat (2.6 t/ha), sorghum (2.5 t/ha), barley (2.1 t/ha), and tef (1.7 t/ha), respectively

[4]

Wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) is one of the globally produced and marketed cereal crops which cover 15% of the total sowing areas of cereal crops in the world

[9]

. It is an important industrial and food grain which ranks second among the most important cereal crops in the world after rice and traded internationally

[2, 13]

. In sub-Saharan African countries, wheat is also a strategic commodity which generates farm income and improves food security status

[1, 5, 11]

. Ethiopia is one of the leading wheat producers in sub-Sahara Africa, older varieties of wheat widely grown are faced with number of evolving pathogens, a major one being stem rust that is currently a big challenge to wheat production in Africa as a whole. Therefore deeper knowledge into gene pyramiding is very important to ensure durable resistance

[7]

. Wheat foliar diseases (STB, wheat rusts) remained an important constraint to wheat production all over the world including in Ethiopia, but the status of the disease is variable every year due to environmental condition and race difference. So it is very important to assess the status of the disease every year

[17]

Barley, which is the main cereal used in malt production worldwide, is the fifth most cultivated crop

[12]

. It was domesticated from its wild relative, Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch, around 10,000 years ago, as evidenced by ar chaeological findings in the Fertile Crescent

[8]

. Barley cultivation and consumption have since increased globally due to its adaptability to various agro-ecologies and numerous uses

[6]

. According to the study of

[15]

the first crop to be domesticated in Ethiopia, since the beginning of agriculture is barley. Malt barley plays a significant role in beer manufacturing, and the global demand for it is directly linked to the growth of brewery industries. These crops could be cultivated either under rain-fed or irrigated conditions, but currently they are largely cultivated as rain-fed crops; predominantly, in Ethiopia the four main regions producing cereal crops are namely, Amhara, Oromia, South Nation Nationalities and People, and Tigray.

North Shewa Zone, Oromia region is currently becoming as one of the option sought for crop production as an income source and employment opportunity for many people of the areas as their livelihood improvement, in spite of these crop production is highly affected by many abiotic and biotic factor that limit potential of the crops. Farmers/Agro-pastoralist in this area use different cereal crops in small scale or large scale production for the sake of different purpose like reducing the failure that bound crop production from rainfall uncertainty and increasing food diversification. The crop production system of North Shewa highland and midhighland were highly vulnerable to main crop disease like Rust disease, Late Blight, Loose smut and Fusarium head scab. Because in this area planting is done two times in a year this create conducive environment for the pathogen to evolve and increase inoculums load of the area which cause serious yield loss on susceptible cultivars.

Disease is more problematic in districts like Degam, Wachale, D/Libanos and Jida which is difficult to manage at field conditions because diseases appeared immediately after the crop start to heading. No seed treatment is used by the farmer and farmer purchase the seeding material from the local market of the area that have no farm background information. Therefore, this survey work will be enable the researcher to give research priority to the most frequently occurring crop disease of the area to design most effective management strategy in the future. According to

[11]

, for instance, for effective targeting of research and development efforts, a more detailed country or region specific analysis of the crop production system and its potential opportunities and possible constraints is required. The survey not only helps to identify relevant areas of intervention, but also helps to identify weaknesses within the system that need to be revised immediately. Therefore the study was conducted to identify the distribution, incidence and severity of major cereal crops disease in potential agro-ecology of North Shewa Zone.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Description of the Study Area

North shewa is located at 08º37'71''-09º66'94''N, 38º30'57''- 39º29'83''E and with elevation ranges between 2283-3043 m.a.s.l (Table 1). The area is characterized by a unimodal rainfall pattern and receives an average annual rainfall of 929 mm. The annual average maximum and minimum air temperatures are 21.4 and 9.0°C, respectively. Field assessment was conducted in major wheat and barley producing agro ecological districts of Northern Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, to determine the incidence, severity and prevalence of foliar diseases (rusts, Septoria leaf blotch), Fusarium head blight diseases The field survey areas were selected based on the potential of cereal crop production of the districts (Degam, Wachale, D/Libanos and Jida) North Shewa zone, Oromia.

2.2. Data Collection and Analysis

Disease incidence, severity, prevalence and other relevant data were taken accordingly. The three rusts yellow, stem and leaf rust severity were estimated visually as a proportion leaf area affected by using the modified Cobb’s scale

[14]

The severity of Septoria Tritici blotch was recorded using the double digit scale (00–99) developed as a modification of Saari and Prescott's severity scale to assess wheat foliar diseases

[16]

The first digit (D1) indicates vertical disease progress on the plant and the second digit (D2) refers to severity measured as diseased leaf area. The incidence of Fusariam head blight was calculated by calculating the diseased plants that showed infected symptoms of the total number of assessed spikes within quadrant in the field, whereas disease severity was determined in 0 to 9 disease rating scale.

Disease assessment was made along the two diagonals (in an “X” pattern) of the field from three points using 0.5mX 0.5m (0.25m2) quadrants and assessed at an interval of 5-10 km distance based on the field availability. The disease assessment was made at flowering and nearest to milking growth stage. In each major cereal crops attention was given to those selected crops of the area at the time of implementing the survey. Within selected fields a quadrant of 1m x 1m were thrown and disease incidence and severity was taken for every quadrant by crossing the fields diagonally. Also, altitude and GPS coordinates of each crop were recorded.

Disease Prevalence, incidence and severity were calculated by using the following equations.

DiseaseIncidence=

\frac{Number of diseased plant}{Total number of plant inspected} x 100

DiseaseSeverity(DS)=

\frac{Area of plant tissue affected by disease}{Total area}

DiseasePrevalence=

\frac{Number of field assessed}{Total number of field inspected} x 100

Data were analyzed by using the descriptive statistical analysis SAS 9.1 version and LSD was used to differentiate the disease intensity among the assessed districts.

Table 1. Geographical Coordination (altitude, latitude and longitude) and climatic condition of the surveyed areas of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Location	Altitude (m)	Latitude (N)	Longitude (E)	Rain fall (mm)
Dagam	2906-3132	038⁰31'69"-038⁰83'69"	09⁰42'20"-09⁰49'37"	1255.13-1511.89
Wachale	2583-2691	038⁰52'85"-038⁰59'31"	09⁰24'10"-09⁰38'99"	1050.35-1350.29
D/Libanos	2608-2646	038⁰47'80"-038⁰52'90"	09⁰37'68"-09⁰39'50"	1054.65-1339.75
Jida	2628-2710	038⁰03'15"-039⁰02'17"	09⁰20'20"-09⁰31'80"	1033.35-1267.84

3. Results and Discussions

3.1. Assessment of Major Wheat Diseases

Survey of Major wheat diseases was conducted in four districts of North Shewa zone. Major diseases of wheat in each district with a total of 69 wheat fields were assessed. The survey covered a wide range of areas located in the highlands of Northern Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia. The result of this survey reveals that more than four major wheat diseases (Yellow, stem and leaf rusts, Septoria Tritici blotch and Fusarium head blight) were distributed across the survey areas. The highest disease prevalence of yellow, stem and leaf rust were recorded (100%, 76.6% and 80% in Dagam and Wachale District respectively. The highest prevalence of Septoria was recorded (65.5%) in Dagam District whereas highest prevalence of fusarium head blight was recorded (83.6%) in D/Libanos (Table 2).

Table 2. Prevalence of major wheat diseases over the assessed Districts of North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia.

District	Yellow rust	Stem rust	Leaf rust	Septoria	Fusarium
Dagam	100	76.6	80	65.5	50.3
Wachale	92.4	52.7	92.7	33.9	42.87
D/Libanos	93.3	54.2	48.2	47.3	83.6
Jida	88.1	50.5	60.2	44.9	35.38
Mean	68.5	58.5	55.3	47.9	42.9

The current study revealed that significant different in stem rust disease incidence and severity among the assessed districts. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of stem rust was recorded (73%, 54.9%) in Jida and Dagam district respectively. The least mean incidence and severity of stem rust was recorded (33.1%, 24%) in Dagam and Debrelibanos respectively (Table 2). The result showed slightly different in leaf rust disease incidence and severity. The highest mean incidence and severity of leaf rust was recorded (52.1%, 54%) in Dagam and wachale district respectively. Whereas the least mean incidence and severity of leaf rust (33.5%, 32.46%) recorded in Debrelibanos district respectively. The results of current study showed that wheat yellow, stem and leaf rust were among the major wheat diseases distributed over all the surveyed areas. This might be due to favorable weather condition for rust epidemiology during the assessment period as for yellow rust; the disease is common in higher elevation of temperate region with altitude of more than 2,500 msl. Previous surveys have recorded leaf rust being present in warm places in the mid to low altitude areas and stripe rust in areas of high altitudes

[10]

Septoria Tritici blotch was also found to be among the major wheat disease in the surveyed areas. The highest mean incidence and severity of Septoria Tritici blotch was recorded (61.6%, 48.7%) in wachale and Debrelibanos, whereas the least incidence and severity was recorded (33.2%, 19.7%) in Dagam district respectively.

Table 3. Disease incidence and severity of the assessed Districts in North Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Location	Yellow rust		Stem rust		Leaf Rust		Fusarium		Septoria
Location	incidence	severity	incidence	severity	Incidence	Severity	incidence	Severity	incidence	severity
Degam	44.9a	46a	33.13b	54.99a	36b	40.13ab	19.18c	25.9b	33.22a	19.72b
D/Libanos	48.53a	52a	67.7a	24b	33.5b	32.46a	33.8b	45.84a	49.38ab	48.76a
Wachale Jida	47.1a	48a	43b	53a	52.1a	54b	36b	42.4a	61.6b	38a
Wachale Jida	52.26a	52a	73a	37ab	45.4ab	44.2ab	52.2a	49a	51.8ab	44a
Mean	48.19	49.61	52.25	42.2	40.51	41.8	33.43	38.76	46.1	37.6
LSD	16.42	16.85	13.21	30.9	15.4	16.37	13.62	14.92	21.73	14.766

Table 4. Disease incidence and severity of the assessed districts with their selected kebele in North Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

District	Kebele	Yellow Rust		Stem Rust		Septoria Tritici blotch		Fusarium head blight
District	Kebele	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity
Degam	Tumano	38.12a	48.12a	53.37bde	41.62abc	24.62ac	21.75bd	10c	10.62c
	Eferso	38.12a	48.12a	10d	28.25ac	14.25c	10.62b	10c	40.87ab
	G/Shano	30.3a	42a	37c	54ab	70b	29.16bde	43.6ab	26.3ac
D/Libanos	G/Wartu	37a	51.5a	72.5acd	27c	52ab	47ace	27.25ac	41.25ab
	Kasim	33.8a	54.6a	56.2abde	30ac	52ab	36ade	26.6ac	38.4ab
	Sale	29.75a	48.16a	77.5ac	41abc	45.2ab	66.5c	49.5ab	59.75b
Wachale	M/Wartu	54.75a	47.5a	38.8d	45.5abc	61b	31abde	32.16ac	41.6ab
	Arb gebeya	46.25a	51.25a	49.25bd	66.75b	62.5b	48.75ace	41.75ab	43.5ab
	Kura	37.2a	41a	84.5c	41.25abc	62.5b	25.25bde	52ab	40ab
Jida	Dabali	51.83a	63a	72.8acd	47.2abc	52.2ab	54.4ac	43.4ab	54.6ab
	Ayida	50.3a	52.25a	65.5abce	43.6abc	44.3abc	46ac	59.83b	50.5ab
	Sirti	54.4a	45.7a	32.7cd	47.73abc	42.2abc	40ac	36ac	54.2ab
Mean		41.82	49.43	54.18	42.83	48.56	38.03	36.01	41.80
LSD		25.33	27	21.73	26.92	35.74	24.28	22.41	24.54

3.2. Assessment of Major Barley Diseases

The survey result reveals that more than four major barley diseases were identified with different percentage of disease prevalence (Table 4). The distribution of each disease was varying within and among districts (Table 4). Out of the 46 fields surveyed; the highest mean prevalence of spot blotch was recorded in D/Libanos district (99.17%)

[18]

. Also reported Septoria Tritici blotch (STB) disease prevalence of 100% in North Showa Zone during their previous study. The prevalence of spot blotch was dominant in D/Libanos, Wachale and Jida districts with values of (99.17%, 92.74% and 88.25%) respectively. Yellow rust was also found to be the most important barley diseases in the survey areas. The highest mean disease prevalence of yellow rust was recorded in Wachale district (98.83%). Stem rust, loose smut and barley scald were distributed over the assessed areas with mean disease prevalence of (58, 64.5 and 67.3) respectively (Table 4).

Table 5. Prevalence of major barley diseases over the assessed Districts of North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia.

District	Spot blotch	Yellow rust	Stem rust	Loose smut	Scald
Dagam	82.16	80.91	32.5	63.86	57.61
D/Libanos	99.17	93.27	63.68	50	82.15
Wachale	92.74	98.83	60.75	72.88	56.38
Jida	88.25	93.8	75.2	71.15	72.89
Mean	90.6	91.7	58.0	64.5	67.3

The current study showed significant difference among the major barley diseases and locations in disease incidence and severity (Table 4). Yellow rust was found to be important disease with the mean incidence and severity of (64.3%, 50%) in Jida and D/Libanos respectively. Stem rust is also the major disease in barley since it was the mostly dominant in the surveyed areas. The incidence and severity of the disease was higher in wachale (67.41%) and D/Libanos (57.8%) respectively whereas the least disease incidence and severity was recorded in Dagam district (37.33%, 35.5%) respectively. Yellow rust severity was relatively high in Dagam district other than the remaining three districts. This variation in disease incidence and severity might be due to micro climatic condition of the survey areas during the study. The intensity of leaf and stem rust was reduced as altitude increased above 2400m whereas yellow rust increase

[21]

Spot blotch is among the major barley diseases with mean disease incidence and severity of (66.83%, 51.16%) in Dagam and Wachale districts respectively. The least disease incidence and severity of spot blotch was recorded (29.4%, 18.5%) in Jida respectively. There was also significant difference in barley scald disease incidence and severity. The highest incidence and severity of scald was recorded (47.4%, 55.3%) in Dagam respectively; whereas the least disease incidence and severity was recorded in Jida (28.9%, 27.08%) respectively. According to

[19]

leaf scald is among the most important diseases that limit the productivity of barley in Ethiopia. Similarly, incidence of barley leaf scald was high in areas of > 2000m from sea level where it constituted the major barley growing areas of North Showa, Ethiopia. The aggressiveness of the disease severity exhibited by host response might be explained by the low resistance of varieties and other disease management practice at the survey areas.

Table 6. Incidence and severity of major barley diseases in North Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

District	Yelow rust		Stem Rust		Spot blotch		Scald		Loose smut
District	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity
Degam	54.6a	45.6ab	37.33a	35.5a	66.83a	49a	47.4b	55.3b	24.5c	32.7a
D/Libanos	60.9a	50ab	48.56b	57.8ab	52.12b	46.93a	44.6ab	39.37ab	63.9a	44.43a
Wachale	59.3a	57.16b	67.41c	45.08ab	47.33b	51.16a	46.6ab	55.41b	70.25a	48.08a
Jida	64.3a	33.9a	38.66ab	43.33ab	29.41c	18.5b	28.9a	27.08a	40.8b	44.83a
Mean	59.90	46.96	46.65	54.71	49	41.51	40.3	40.19	50.96	42.67
LSD	17.32	17.43	15.07	14.48	14.14	12.66	16.49	13.84	14.38	15.44

Table 7. Incidence and severity of major barley diseases with their selected kebele in North Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

District	Kebele	Yelow rust		Stem Rust		Spot blotch		Scald		Loose smut
District	Kebele	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity	Incidence	Severity
Degam	Tumano	40a	41.5ab	73.75d	62.5abc	88.5b	61.75b	33.25abc	33.25abde	25.5d	44.25ab
	Eferso	57.7ab	37.5a	65.5bd	72.5b	85.5b	42ab	24ac	26bde	23.5d	23.25a
	G/Shano	66.25ab	59ab	61.75bd	67.5ab	25.5d	43.25ab	29.5abc	18.25bd	24.5d	30.75ab
D/Libanos	G/Wartu	51.66ab	41.66ab	44.66abce	59.16abc	57ac	55.83ab	57.5b	55.8ac	53.3ac	42ab
	Kasim	65.4ab	70.2b	50.4abcde	61.2abc	44acd	43ab	34abc	40abce	62.2ab	43.2ab
	Salle	67.6ab	54.5ab	51.4abcdf	53abc	54.4ac	37acd	38abc	51ac	78.4b	48.6ab
Wachale	M/Wartu	60ab	47ab	29ace	46.75ac	39.5cd	41.25abd	51.25ab	58.75c	80.5b	45ab
	A/ gebeya	65.5ab	70b	24e	39.75c	34.25cd	61b	33.75abc	51.25ac	79.5b	54.25b
	Kura	52.5ab	34.25a	41.25abcef	48.75abc	68.25ab	51.25ab	55b	56.25ac	50.75ac	45ab
Jida	Dabali	62.75ab	34.5a	26ae	47.5abc	37.25cd	19.5cd	57.5b	13.75d	33.75cd	42.25ab
	Ayida	75.25b	33a	36.25acef	52abc	26d	19.5cd	47.5ab	45ace	43.75acd	52.75b
	Sirti	55ab	40ab	53.75bcdf	42.5ac	25d	16.5c	16.25c	22.5bde	45acd	39.5ab
Mean		46.96	59.90	46.65	54.71	49.17	41.51	40.32	40.19	50.96	42.67
LSD		30	30.2	26.12	25.10	24.52	21.95	28.59	23.99	24.93	26.7

3.3. Correlation Analysis Between Different Diseases Parameters

The Correlation analysis showed positive and negative correlation with different disease parameters, altitude and growth stage. There were significantly strong correlation between altitude and stem rust incidence, stem rust severity, loose smut incidence, loose smut severity, spot blotch incidence, spot blotch severity, incidence of scald and severity of scald (Table 5). The correlation between altitude and yellow rust incidence and severity showed significantly different. There was negative correlation (r = -0.15) between altitude and yellow rust disease incidence at Jida. This implies that as altitude decreased yellow rust disease incidence increase. Whereas non-significant (r = 0.22) was observed between altitude and yellow rust severity. This might be due to capability of host resistance and unfavorable condition for disease to occur during the survey. The result showed positive correlation between altitude and stem rust incidence and severity (r = 0.34, 0.2) respectively (Table 5). This is mainly associated with the availability of path types that break cultivars resistance,

[20]

the presence of initial inoculums coupled with the suitable climatic condition for disease development during the season and the susceptibility of barley cultivars. Significantly negative correlation was observed between Loose smut incidence and altitude (r = -0.45), which indicates that as altitude increased loose smut incidence decreased. There were significantly positive correlation between spot blotch incidence and severity (r = 0.37, 0.24) respectively. This implies spot blotch disease incidence and severity increases as altitude increase. Significantly negative correlation were observed in barley scald incidence and severity (r = -0.2, 0.28) respectively. The disease was severe mostly at Jida and wachale districts; this might be correlated almost similar due to probability to similar weather conditions.

Table 8. Correlation between altitude, growth stage and different diseases Parameters.

	ALT	GS	INY	SYR	INSR	SRSR	INLM	SLM	ISB	SESB	INSC	SSC
ALT	1
GS	0.16**	1
INY	-0.15**	0.12**	1
SYR	0.22ns	0.04ns	0.31**	1
INSR	0.34**	0.35**	-0.09*	0.02ns	1
SRSR	0.20**	0.11**	0.004ns	0.12**	0.30**	1
INLM	-0.45**	-0.37**	0.06ns	0.11**	-0.32**	-0.17**	1
SLM	-0.17**	-0.25**	0.05ns	0.004ns	-0.15**	-0.20**	0.34**	1
ISB	0.37**	-0.24**	-0.21**	0.004ns	0.39**	0.22**	-0.24**	-0.02ns	1
SESB	0.24**	-0.21**	-0.23**	0.10*	0.11**	0.12**	0.09*	0.10**	0.33**	1
INSC	-0.20**	-0.32**	-0.01ns	0.06ns	-0.21**	-0.01ns	0.16**	0.32**	0.03ns	-0.03ns	1
SSC	-0.28**	-0.39**	0.06ns	0.07*	-0.15**	-0.13**	0.41**	0.23**	-0.01ns	0.13**	0.35**	1

Where, ALT= altitude, GS= Growth stage, INY= yellow rust incidence, SRY= yellow rust severity, INSR= Incidence of stem rust, SRSR= severity of stem rust, INLM= incidence of loose smut, SLM= severity of loose smut, ISB= incidence of spot blotch, SESB= severity of spot blotch, INSC= incidence of scald and SSC= severity of scald

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

Wheat and Barley are one of the most important cereal crops widely grown in most of the regions of Ethiopia, including the Central highlands. However, the production and productivity of these crops are affected by a biotic and biotic factor. Among the biotic factors, Septoria tritici blotch (Septoria tritici) (STB) and wheat rust diseases such as yellow rust and stem rust were the most important problems of wheat production in the country where as spot blotch, scald, yellow rust, stem rust, leaf rust and smuts are the most important diseases in barley production. Disease surveys were conducted in the major wheat and barley producing districts of North Shewa zones of Oromia regional states. The results confirmed wheat and barley production is suffered from different fungal diseases mainly Septoria tritici blotch (Septoria tritici) (STB) and wheat rust diseases, fusarium head blight in wheat and spot blotch, yellow rust, stem rust, leaf scald, and smuts. The complexes of these diseases together could cause significant yield losses as current study indicates. The survey result indicated that wheat yellow; stem, leaf rust and Septoria Tritici blotch as well as barley yellow, stem rust, Spot blotch, smuts and scald were more prevailed and found to be economically important diseases at different districts assessed in the zone respectively. Therefore, appropriate management method and regular monitoring of their intensity as well as virulence spectrum could play critical in the development of integrated diseases management strategies. Furthermore, development of different management options such as resistant varieties could be the best alternative solution for smallholder farmers in the study area.

Abbreviations

ALT	Altitude
GS	Growth Stage
LSD	List Significant Difference
INSR	incidence of Stem Rust
INY	Yellow Rust Incidence
INLM	Incidence of Loose Smut
INSC	Incidence of Scald
ISB	Incidence of Spot Blotch
Msal	Mean Sea Level
SLM	Severity of Loose Smut
SRY	Yellow Rust Severity
SESB	Severity of Spot Blotch
SRSR	Severity of Stem Rust
SSC	Severity of Scald

Acknowledgments

The authors express their appreciation to Oromia Agricultural Research Institute and Fitche Agricultural Research Center (FiARC) for funding and facilitating the research work. They also acknowledge Bako Agricultural Research Center for their provision of technical support during the analysis and writing up of the study. Finally the authors appreciate Center’s Senior Researchers for their technical support of the research paper.

Author Contributions

Megersa Terefa: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal Analysis, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

Adisu Regassa: Investigation, Validation

Shalema Feyisa: Supervision Visualization

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that no conflicts of interest.

References

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Terefa, M., Regassa, A., Feyissa, S. (2026). Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering, 14(2), 17-25. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11

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Terefa, M.; Regassa, A.; Feyissa, S. Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Adv. BioSci. Bioeng. 2026, 14(2), 17-25. doi: 10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11

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Terefa M, Regassa A, Feyissa S. Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Adv BioSci Bioeng. 2026;14(2):17-25. doi: 10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11

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@article{10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11,
  author = {Megersa Terefa and Adisu Regassa and Shalema Feyissa},
  title = {Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia},
  journal = {Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {17-25},
  doi = {10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.abb.20261402.11},
  abstract = {Wheat and barley production in Ethiopia is challenged with different biotic and a biotic factors. Rusts and Septoria tritici blotch in wheat and spot blotch, stem rust, scald and loose smut in barley are among the most important biotic constraints. This study was designed to identify the distribution, incidence and severity of major wheat and barley diseases in the highland of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 69 wheat fields were assessed for two years (2022& 2023) during the main cropping season in major wheat and barley growing areas of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Stem rust, yellow rust and Septoria tritici blotch were the most widely distributed disease in the surveyed fields with disease prevalence percentage of 86, 75 & 60.5% respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity values for stem rust were (73%, 54.9%) recorded in Jida and Dagam district respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity of leaf rust were recorded (52.1%, 54%) in Dagam and wachale district respectively. There were incidences and severities of wheat rusts varied among wheat varieties in the season. The mean disease incidence and severity of Septoria Tritici blotch were recorded (61.6%, 48.7%) in wachale and Debrelibanos.respectivel. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley stem rust was recorded (67.3% and 67.5%) in Dagam District respectively. The disease intensity across the survey areas were varies for all diseases. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley spot blotch was also recorded (66.8% and 51.16%) in Dagam and Wachale districts respectively. The present findings confirmed, wheat yellow rust and stem rust also Septoria tritici blotch and spot blotch, stem rust, Loose smut and scald in barley found to be major important cereal diseases in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Hence, it is better to use an appropriate management method like the use of improved varieties and supply of resistance varieties for the management options in the study area.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
AU - Megersa Terefa
AU - Adisu Regassa
AU - Shalema Feyissa
Y1 - 2026/04/20
PY - 2026
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11
DO - 10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11
T2 - Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering
JF - Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering
JO - Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering
SP - 17
EP - 25
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2330-4162
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11
AB - Wheat and barley production in Ethiopia is challenged with different biotic and a biotic factors. Rusts and Septoria tritici blotch in wheat and spot blotch, stem rust, scald and loose smut in barley are among the most important biotic constraints. This study was designed to identify the distribution, incidence and severity of major wheat and barley diseases in the highland of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 69 wheat fields were assessed for two years (2022& 2023) during the main cropping season in major wheat and barley growing areas of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Stem rust, yellow rust and Septoria tritici blotch were the most widely distributed disease in the surveyed fields with disease prevalence percentage of 86, 75 & 60.5% respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity values for stem rust were (73%, 54.9%) recorded in Jida and Dagam district respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity of leaf rust were recorded (52.1%, 54%) in Dagam and wachale district respectively. There were incidences and severities of wheat rusts varied among wheat varieties in the season. The mean disease incidence and severity of Septoria Tritici blotch were recorded (61.6%, 48.7%) in wachale and Debrelibanos.respectivel. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley stem rust was recorded (67.3% and 67.5%) in Dagam District respectively. The disease intensity across the survey areas were varies for all diseases. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley spot blotch was also recorded (66.8% and 51.16%) in Dagam and Wachale districts respectively. The present findings confirmed, wheat yellow rust and stem rust also Septoria tritici blotch and spot blotch, stem rust, Loose smut and scald in barley found to be major important cereal diseases in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Hence, it is better to use an appropriate management method like the use of improved varieties and supply of resistance varieties for the management options in the study area.
VL - 14
IS - 2
ER -

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Author Information

Megersa Terefa

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Fitche Agricultural Research Center, Fitche, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6338-7552
Adisu Regassa

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Fitche Agricultural Research Center, Fitche, Ethiopia
Shalema Feyissa

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Fitche Agricultural Research Center, Fitche, Ethiopia

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Terefa, M., Regassa, A., Feyissa, S. (2026). Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering, 14(2), 17-25. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11

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Terefa, M.; Regassa, A.; Feyissa, S. Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Adv. BioSci. Bioeng. 2026, 14(2), 17-25. doi: 10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11

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AMA Style

Terefa M, Regassa A, Feyissa S. Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Adv BioSci Bioeng. 2026;14(2):17-25. doi: 10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11

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@article{10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11,
  author = {Megersa Terefa and Adisu Regassa and Shalema Feyissa},
  title = {Survey and Distribution of Major Disease Pests on Barley and Wheat Crops at North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia},
  journal = {Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {17-25},
  doi = {10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.abb.20261402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.abb.20261402.11},
  abstract = {Wheat and barley production in Ethiopia is challenged with different biotic and a biotic factors. Rusts and Septoria tritici blotch in wheat and spot blotch, stem rust, scald and loose smut in barley are among the most important biotic constraints. This study was designed to identify the distribution, incidence and severity of major wheat and barley diseases in the highland of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 69 wheat fields were assessed for two years (2022& 2023) during the main cropping season in major wheat and barley growing areas of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Stem rust, yellow rust and Septoria tritici blotch were the most widely distributed disease in the surveyed fields with disease prevalence percentage of 86, 75 & 60.5% respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity values for stem rust were (73%, 54.9%) recorded in Jida and Dagam district respectively. The highest mean incidence and severity of leaf rust were recorded (52.1%, 54%) in Dagam and wachale district respectively. There were incidences and severities of wheat rusts varied among wheat varieties in the season. The mean disease incidence and severity of Septoria Tritici blotch were recorded (61.6%, 48.7%) in wachale and Debrelibanos.respectivel. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley stem rust was recorded (67.3% and 67.5%) in Dagam District respectively. The disease intensity across the survey areas were varies for all diseases. The highest mean disease incidence and severity of barley spot blotch was also recorded (66.8% and 51.16%) in Dagam and Wachale districts respectively. The present findings confirmed, wheat yellow rust and stem rust also Septoria tritici blotch and spot blotch, stem rust, Loose smut and scald in barley found to be major important cereal diseases in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Hence, it is better to use an appropriate management method like the use of improved varieties and supply of resistance varieties for the management options in the study area.},
 year = {2026}
}

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