Life cycle and appearance of Leaf stripe

Pyrenophora graminea is monocyclic, which means there is only one disease cycle during the cropping season. The fungus is seed-borne and this systemic infection is the only source of primary infection. The fungus spreads from the seed into the seedling. Conidia are produced on the infected leaves when humidity is high and wind-dispersed to neighbouring ears where they can infect seeds at any stage up until soft dough stage. Infection occurs between 10 and 33 °C. Infected seeds can look healthy and do not necessarily show symptoms of infection. Soil temperature during seedling emergence is critical for infection.

Soil temperatures below 12 °C are most conducive for this disease and infection does not occur at soil temperatures above 15 °C.

How to prevent Leaf stripe

• Produce seed in semi-arid environments without irrigation, to decrease the chances of infection
• Use clean seed
• Avoid the use of untreated farm-saved seeds or at least test the seed before use
• Use resistant cultivars
• Delay sowing in spring barley until soil temperature is higher than 12-15^oC

Prevent plant diseases by optimizing plant potential and crop resilience.