Resistance breeding

The difference between the winter and spring germplasm is most likely attributable to routine exposure to and selection for resistance during winter breeding programmes, but lack of challenge and selection in most spring programmes. No durable single major resistance genes for resistance to R. secalis are known, most being overcome once a variety is grown widely. Background and field resistance is substantially polygenic but single morphological genes, in particular dwarfing genes, have a major effect on resistance in the field.

Fungicides

Older fungicides have variable efficacy controlling R. secalis but some of the new generation active ingredients, particularly strobilurin chemistry types, can be quite effective. Nevertheless, it is still a difficult pathogen to control compared with, for example, powdery mildew, especially under high inoculum conditions.

Variety mixtures

Mixtures of several current recommended varieties of barley, particularly winter types, can be used to partially control R. secalis as a control measure in their own right. However, in simple mixtures of two or three components, especially in spring barley, they are insufficiently effective and are best used in conjunction with other measures. Benefits to yield, quality and stability are derived from mixtures in addition to disease control. There is more information on the Crop Mixtures page.

Images show examples of yellow rust reduction in mixtures (courtesy of Claude de Vallavieille-Pope, INRA, France).