by PressBarley yields in Australia affected by a fungal pathogen
Barley yields decline in Western Australia
Australian farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to combat net blotch in barley. A new population of the fungus has shown resistance to fungicides. This has caused serious concern among farmers. Producers warn that the infection could significantly reduce yields.
Traditionally, three types of fungicides have been used to combat the disease. However, the pathogen has mutated and lost its sensitivity to these drugs. Under these conditions, farmers must look for alternative strategies to protect their crops and maintain their volume and quality.
Barley is extremely important to the economy of Western Australia:
— the crop ranks second in cultivation volume after wheat;
— grain exports bring the country more than US$1 billion annually;
— barley serves as an ingredient in food production and animal feed and is a key ingredient in brewing.
A mass infection of fields with the fungal pathogen negatively affects grain yield and quality. A fungicide-resistant mutation was first recorded in South Australia and Victoria. However, it has now spread to Western Australia. According to experts, the pathogen is spreading extremely rapidly, and cases of infection have been recorded in all of the country’s agricultural regions.
How to avoid infection
Wesley Mair of CCDM identified a new mutation of net blotch in barley samples collected from fields in the southern Stirling area. The fungal pathogen affected areas planted with the popular RGT Planet variety, which shows resistance to standard fungicides.
However, not all crops were affected equally. A neighboring field planted with the La Perouse variety showed significantly higher resistance to the disease. In fact, these areas remained virtually unaffected. This contrast underscores the importance of selecting varieties that can resist common pathogens.
The rapid spread of the mutation indicates the need to reevaluate agricultural practices. Using resistant barley varieties plays a key role in protecting the crop. Because they prevent the pathogen from developing by eliminating a susceptible «host.» This reduces the rate of infection and minimizes the need for chemical treatments during the growing season.
Experts emphasize that the excessive use of fungicides stimulates the development of resistant pest strains. The current situation with net blotch directly confirms this. To prevent similar cases, scientists recommend that farmers switch to non-fungicide protection strategies.
It is also important to review crop rotation practices and eliminate volunteer barley. Volunteer barley significantly increases the risk of infection by creating favorable conditions for overwintering and re-spreading disease pathogens.