Yellow rust disease of wheat also known as stripe rust of wheat is a disease caused by the fungus Puccinia.
• The disease manifests itself as powdery yellow stripes on leaves. These stripes hinder photosynthesis make the grains shrivel and stunt growth of the plant This disease was first detected in India during 2013-2014. It is capable of causing up to 70% decline in wheat yields.
• It is a disease of cool weather in the northern hills and north-western plains zone.
• The recent rains in the region coupled with a slight increase in the temperature and humid conditions are favourable for yellow rust.
• All the wheat growing states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, the tarai region of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and the low lying areas of Jammu and Kashmir are susceptible to the disease.

About Wheat:-
• Temperature: Between 10-15°C (Sowing time) and 21-26°C (Ripening & Harvesting) with bright sunlight.
• Rainfall: Around 75-100 cm.
• Soil Type: Well-drained fertile loamy and clayey loamy (Ganga-Satluj plains and black soil region of the Deccan).
• It is a rabi (winter) crop, is sown between late October till December while the harvesting of the crop starts from April onwards.
• India is the second-largest producer after China.

This is the second most important cereal crop and the main food crop, in the north and north-western India.
• The success of Green Revolution contributed to the growth of Rabi crops especially wheat.
• Government initiatives to support wheat cultivation: Macro Management Mode of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.