The impact of stem and root fungal diseases on grain yield and quality of bread wheat under wheat mono-cropping systems in Mediterranean subhumid conditions of Tunisia

Bread wheat is a staple food grain crop in the Mediterranean countries. Fungal infections of wheat crops pose a significant risk to food security through the reduction of both grain yield and quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of stem and root fungal diseases on grain yield and quality under wheat mono-cropping systems of four bread wheat cultivars in the Mediterranean subhumid conditions of Tunisia. The experimental trial was conducted during three cropping seasons (2017–2019). Four bread wheat cultivars were cultivated under two previous crops. Our result highlighted that cropping season significantly affected the incidences of Fusarium foot and root rot, take-all, and eyespot disease. Moreover, a significant difference between cultivars was only found for take-all. The cultivar ‘Vaga’ was less susceptible to take-all under wheat mono-cropping. Grain yield was significantly affected by cropping season and previous crop. On the other hand, grain quality was significantly influenced only by cropping season. The incidences of Fusarium foot and root rot was not significantly correlated with grain yield. However, the incidences of take-all and eyespot were significantly negatively correlated with grain yield, grain protein concentration, and gluten content. Crop rotation practices could control take-all and eyespot diseases.