The effects of infection by barley yellow mosaic virus on the yield and components of yield of barley

Abstract

Infection by barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) was greater in a crop sown in October than in November and in cv. Maris Otter than in cv. Sonja. However, a greater proportion of plants of Sonja than of Maris Otter were infected, and more severely, with the soil‐borne fungus vector of BaYMV. Polymyxagraminis. Indifferent years the yield of individual plants of Maris Otter was decreased by 15% and of Sonja by 40%. The spring barley cultivars Athos. Porthos. Georgie and Ark Royal were all infected with BaYMV when sown in autumn in infected soil. Infected winter barley cv. Igri lost up to 50% of yield when this was measured across a naturally infected patch of crop.