VIEW ARTICLE

Ecology and Epidemiology

The Influence of Common Root Rot on Net Blotch of Winter Barley. J. A. Frank, Research plant pathologist, USDA, ARS, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802; H. Cole, Jr., Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802. Phytopathology 77:1454-1457. Accepted for publication 10 May 1987. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1987. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-77-1454.

Field plots were established with different severity levels of common root rot (primarily Bipolaris sorokiniana) on the barley cultivar Maury. Soil fumigation, chemical seed treatment, and soil infestation with B. sorokiniana were used to induce root rot severities ranging from 0 to 47%. At growth stage 9 (Feekes scale) plants were evaluated for common root rot and net blotch (Drechslera teres) severity. With increasing root rot levels, net blotch severity increased significantly. The results indicate that common root rot can predispose barley plants to the net blotch disease.