Comparative Meta-Analysis of Chemical and Biological Strategies for the Management of Wheat Stripe Rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) Under Global Agro-Ecological Conditions

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, threatens global wheat production, with climate change intensifying its spread. This meta-analysis, following PRISMA protocol, evaluated chemical and biological control methods through a systematic review of literature (2005–2025), identifying 12 peer-reviewed studies with 156 experimental comparisons under various conditions. Random effects models assessed treatment impacts on disease severity and grain productivity using standardized mean differences (SMDs). Chemical control significantly reduced stripe rust severity (SMD = −1.04) and improved productivity (SMD = 1.30), with low to moderate variability and consistent yield responses. Effectiveness varied by active ingredients and wheat types, with the greatest benefits in highly susceptible varieties. Biological control agents, particularly Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Trichoderma species, also reduced disease severity (SMD = −2.19) and increased yield (SMD = 2.39), though with greater heterogeneity reflecting strain-specific and environmental effects. Chemical fungicides provided more predictable disease control, while biological agents offered significant yield increases with agroecological benefits. This meta-analysis demonstrates complementary roles for both approaches, strongly supporting integrated disease management combining plant resistance, optimal fungicide use, and strategic biological control to enhance resilience and sustainability of global cereal production systems.