The use of cultivar trials records in assessing the incidence of cereal disease in England and Wales. I. Septoria nodorum in wheat and Rhynchosporium secalis in barley

Abstract

SUMMARYThe incidence of Septoria nodorum and Rhynchosporium secalis in N.I.A.B. cultivar trials of wheat and barley respectively showed marked regional and seasonal variation. Peak annual incidence of the two diseases often coincided. Levels of S. nodorum infection in winter wheat generally exceeded those in spring wheat, while levels of R. secalis in winter and spring barley were usually similar. Annual peaks in mean disease levels were associated with above average rainfall and raindays and below average temperatures, especially during the period of epidemic development. Regional variation in disease incidence reflected the association with high rainfall. S. nodorum infection in wheat was more widespread, and incidence of leaf infection was higher, than R. secalis in barley. Annual and regional incidence of S. nodorum and R. secalis in trials was similar to that recorded in the Plant Pathology Laboratory surveys of commercial crops. Disease records from cultivar trials can provide useful additional information on the behaviour of S. nodorum and R. secalis nationally.