Leaf Stripe
Pyrenophora graminea
Pathogen
Fungus
Hosts
Barley
Symptoms
Pale green lines are seen running the entire length of the leaf. These stripes thicken and become yellow eventually turning brown. Ears often become infected and do not fully emerge.
Development
The inoculum comes solely from infected seed which grows internally in the affected plant. Healthy seeds are infected when spores from infected ears are spread by the wind prior to harvest.
Favourable Factors
Cool, below 20°C.
Importance
The disease is specific to barley. Yield loss is rarely economic but low levels of infection can lead to rejection of seed for certification.
Control
Clean, disease free seed
Seed treatments
Sow winter barley earlier and spring barley later
Crop rotation
Removal of volunteers
