Abstract
The present study was planned to evaluate the association between meteorological parameters and yellow rust severity in wheat during three contrasting seasons: 2012-13 (rust epidemic year), 2021-22 (heat stress year), and 2022-23 (recent rust year).Rust severity was recorded as 100, 56.75 and 58.42% in 2012-13, 2021-22, and 2022-23, respectively.Correlation analysis revealed that maximum temperature (Tmax) was positively associated with rust severity.Minimum temperature also showed a strong positive correlation Morning relative humidity (RHm) and evening relative humidity (RHe) exhibited negative correlations, with RHm r = -0.65 to -0.72 and RHe r = -0.73 to -0.79, strongest in 2021-22.Rainfall had a weak positive correlation in 2012-13 and 2022-23, but a significant negative one in 2021-22 (r = -0.64).Sunshine hours were positively correlated with rust severity (r = 0.88 in 2021-22).During the disease phases, maximum and minimum temperatures were lowest in 2012-13 and highest in 2021-22.Relative humidity and rainfall were highest in 2012-13, followed by 2022-23, and minimum in 2021-22.Sunshine hours were least in 2012-13 and highest in 2022-23.Thus, 2012-13 was characterized by cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and greater rainfall conditions highly favourable for rust development.In contrast, 2021-22 experienced higher temperatures, lower humidity, and reduced rainfall, contributing to heat stress conditions.The year 2022-23 exhibited intermediate weather conditions, favouring moderate rust development.These findings highlight the importance of integrated weather-based forecasting for effective yellow rust management in wheat.