The control of wheat (Triticum aestivum) foliar diseases through seed treatment was evaluated in Passo Fundo, RS, during 1999. The cultivar used in the experiment was OR 1 which is known to be very susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf rust. The response variables yield and test weight were significant (P>0.05) lower in the check than in the treatments. Highest yields were obtained with fluquinconazol + prochloraz at rates of 250.0 g + 51.0 g (2,943 kg/ha) and 125.0 g + 25.0 g (2,864 kg/ha) being, respectively, 132% and 125% higher than the yield in check (1,270 kg/ha). While treatments with triticonazol, difenoconazol and triadimenol yielded 1,908 kg/ha, 1,821 kg/ha and 1,815 kg/ha, respectively. No phytotoxic effects due to fungicide treatments were observed. The powdery mildew and leaf rust control was effective up to 98 DAE (days after emergency) which coincided with the threshold for fungicide spraying. Fungicides were no longer efficient after 108 DAE. Powdery mildew and leaf rust severity, at 118 DAE in the treatments involving fluquinconazol + prochloraz were 6.2% and 33.9%, and in the check 16.5% and 78.0%, respectively. Thus, treating wheat seeds with fungicides, as demonstrated in this work, in association with crop rotations and more resistant cultivars may play an important role in controlling foliar diseases of wheat while reducing production costs and environmental polution.
