Ramularia leaf spot of barley – is it in your area?
Growers and agronomists in long season areas are invited to submit leaf samples to a new GRDC project assessing the distribution of Ramularia leaf spot across the Australian grain belt.
Ramularia leaf spot of barley is a newly identified fungal disease for the Australian grains industry that can be a problem later in the season. This disease was found in Tasmania in 2016 and in southern WA in 2017.
Ramularia can be easily confused with elongated spot-type net blotch (STNB) or net-type net blotch (NTNB). Initially these blotches start as pepper spots, then develop into dark brown blotches that are highly rectangular, restricted by leaf veins, reddish brown with yellow margins and penetrate to the other side of the leaf.
Foliar fungicides are not currently registered for this disease in Australia, however fungicides registered for management of other diseases in barley, such as net blotches, are known to be effective for ramularia. The major concern with ramularia is its ability to become fungicide resistant relatively rapidly.
Submitting samples
To submit leaves (green or dead) for ramularia testing, up to 100 flag minus 1 leaves can be sampled randomly or growers can target leaves with potential symptoms. Please record the GPS coordinate and send leaves in a paper bag/envelope to Andrea Hills at PMB 50, DPIRD Esperance, WA 6450 and labelled “Ramularia survey” with your name and contact details.
For more information refer to the DPIRD’s Look out for leaf spot in Western Australia page and GRDC’s Groundcover article High-rainfall growers warned to watch for ramularia leaf spot during season.
For more information contact DPIRD plant pathologists Andrea Hills, Esperance on +61 (0)488 575 091 or Kithsiri Jayasena, Albany +61 (0)8 9892 8477.
Article authors: Andrea Hills (DPIRD Esperance) and Cindy Webster (DPIRD Narrogin).