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Reducing the incidence of smut in barley crops in Western Australia
South Perth, Western Australia
March 31, 2006

Correctly managed application of fungicides and sourcing seed with low infection levels will greatly reduce the incidence of smut in barley crops this season, according to Department of Agriculture plant pathologist Kith Jayasena.

Dr Jayasena said high levels of loose smut had been reported in some Baudin barley seed planted across the state over the past two seasons.

“Department trials of fungicides containing the active ingredients of triadimenol, triticonazole and tebuconazole have proved effective in reducing loose smut incidence by 60 to100 per cent,” he said.

“However, trials using difenoconazole in fungicides applied in-furrow were not effective at reducing smut.”

Dr Jayasena said it was also critical that growers ensured, when treating seed, that all seeds were covered with fungicide, to achieve optimum protection and control.

He said the other important factor in controlling smut infection was sourcing seed from areas with the lowest possible exposure.

“There is a direct relationship between percentage of infected crop and yield,” he said.

“For example a crop with a 10 per cent infection would result in a 10 per cent yield reduction. Therefore a crop with a yield of 2.5t/ha and farm gate price of $156/t would result in a reduction of $39/ha on returns.

“Seed with greater than five per cent infection should not be used. Seed with less than five per cent infection should be treated each year with a fungicide effective against smuts.”

More information on controlling smut in barley crops is available from Farmnote 10/2004 Cereal seed dressings and in-furrow fungicides 2004-2005 on the Department of Agriculture website.

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