Rhyncosporium attacks Regina in south-west

By Farmers Weekly staff

NEW races of rhynchosporium could be overcoming Regina winter barleys formerly good resistance, warns NIAB.

Unexpectedly high levels of the disease in the south-west are showing up in DuPont/NIAB monitoring.

“This may be due to new races,” says NIABs plant pathologist John Clarkson.

With 10% of the varietys leaf area affected at one site in Cornwall, its resistance rating could be reduced from its current 8, he believes.

Intro, which has a rating of 6, has only 7% infection at the same site.

“Its a bit speculative at the moment, but Id feel a lot happier with Regina on 7,” says Mr Clarkson.