Net Blotch
Net blotch, close up of symptoms & field shot
Net blotch, close up of symptoms & field shot
Fungus
Barley
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.
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.
Cool, wet and humid weather favours this disease as do thick sowing, early drilling and minimal cultivation techniques.
Yield losses from 10% to 40% with a reduction in thousand grain weight.
Find out more information on the key disease threats to your cereal crop. For each disease you will find out the importance of the disease in terms of potential yield penalty, how to identify the disease in its early stages and our advice on the best control strategies.