An SMS based system for surveillance of wheat rust diseases: a pilot initiative in Central Anatolia region in Turkey

Rust diseases (Puccinia spp.), namely stripe, leaf and stem rusts, are among the major diseases of wheat. Their management requires integrated approaches including timely surveillance, speedy communication and rapid response. This surveillance system was developed in order to facilitate participation of extension offices (in provinces/districts) in the survey of wheat rust diseases and sharing of information quickly. The SMS based system was tested as a pilot tool in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey connecting 25 districts in 5 provinces through an SMS network during the rust development period (April–July) in 2013. The observations from 268 fields indicated that leaf rust and stem rust development was insignificant in the districts covered, occurring in only 2.3% and 1.9% of the fields respectively. Stripe rust prevalence was higher occurring in 44.8% of the fields. Of the inspected fields 2.5% had infected plant incidences between 15% and 40% requiring control measures. Using the SMS reports received from the extension officers, the system facilitated daily monitoring of rust development and exchange of observations among the relevant institutions, also sending out alert messages to designated authorities as necessary. The study demonstrated that the system can serve as a rapid surveillance and communication tool to facilitate timely decision making and rapid response to prevent wheat rust epidemics. Système basé sur les SMS pour la surveillance des maladies de la rouille du blé: initiative pilote dans la région de l'Anatolie centrale en Turquie Les rouilles (Puccinia spp.), à savoir les rouilles jaune (striée), brune (des feuilles) et noire (de la tige), font partie des principales maladies du blé. Leur gestion nécessite des approches intégrées, notamment la surveillance en temps opportun, ainsi qu'une communication et une réponse rapides. Un système de surveillance a été élaboré dans le but de faciliter la participation des services de conseil agricole aux prospections sur les rouilles du blé, ainsi que le partage rapide de l'information. Le système basé sur les SMS a été testé dans la région de l'Anatolie centrale en Turquie en reliant 25 districts de 5 provinces à travers un réseau SMS durant la période de développement des rouilles (avril ‐ juillet) en 2013. Les observations faites dans 268 champs ont indiqué que le développement des rouilles brune (des feuilles) et noire (des tiges) était insignifiant dans les districts couverts; ces rouilles