The use of cultivar trials records in assessing the incidence of cereal disease in England and Wales. II. Erysiphe graminis in barley, wheat and oats

Abstract

SUMMARYCereals in cultivar trials at N.I.A.B. regional centres showed significant mildew levels at flowering in most years. Oats were more heavily infected than barley or wheat. Years of peak mildew infection usually coincided in all cereals, and were generally in agreement with the results of national surveys of mildew in commercial crops, although little association with weather conditions could be demonstrated. Regional variation in mildew occurrence was most marked in barley, but the pattern of distribution of mildew infection varied between years. Disease records from cultivar trials can provide useful information on the behaviour of mildew nationally.