Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Net Blotch

Pyrenophora teres

Pathogen

Fungus

Hosts

Barley

Symptoms

The first symptoms are very small, dark brown lesions on the leaves. These develop into short brown stripes or irregular blotches which, on close examination, are seen to consist of a network of brown lines. The ear can also be infected but lesions do not usually appear.

Development

The disease can arise from infected seed but the main source of inoculum is infected stubble and volunteer plants. The disease spread by airborne spores and rain splash.

Favourable Factors

Cool, wet and humid weather favours this disease as do thick sowing, early drilling and minimal cultivation techniques.

Importance

Yield losses from 10% to 40% with a reduction in thousand grain weight.

Control

  • Correct application of fungicides during autumn and/or spring will give good control.

  • Stubble cleanliness helps to reduce the potential inoculum for infection.

  • Varietal resistance should also be considered.