Barley Scald Disease

Barley is one of the world`s most widely consumed cereal. Rhynchosporium commune، the causal agent of barley leaf scald، is one of the most deleterious pathogens of barley which can cause up to 40% yield loss، under favorable conditions. Primary infection takes place by spores produced on infected plant debris. The secondary infection can be repeated by spore dispersal by rain and wind. Although the teleomorphic stage is unknown، high levels of genetic diversity have been observed within and between populations of this pathogen، attributed to some mechanisms such as gene flow، parasexual cycle and asexual recombination. The management of this disease is mainly achieved through cultural and chemical measures of control and use of resistant cultivars. In this paper، different aspects of pathogen symptoms، taxonomy and biology of pathogen، and management of disease are discussed.