A survey of ryegrass swards for the presence of fungal pathogens in relation to management

Surveys of perennial and Italian ryegrass swards (Lolium perenne L. and L. multiflorum Lam.) at regular intervals in 1977 and 1978 in Berkshire, Wales and Devon confirmed that leaf infection by Drechslera spp. was the most frequently occurring foliar fungal disease. Rhynchosporium spp. and Puccinia coronata Corda were also recorded but in contrast to Drechslera spp., which caused damage throughout the year, attacks by these two fungi were only sporadic.
The incidence of Drechslera was greater in 1977 than in 1978 and was greater in Berkshire where most fields were infected in both years than in Wales and Devon. Both perennial and Italian ryegrasses were infected. The number of leaves damaged increased with leaf age. Damage was greater on fields managed for conservation than those which were grazed. Infection increased from February onwards and was greatest in autumn. It is concluded that Drechslera might be controlled by removing infected herbage in autumn by cutting.
Rhynchosporium spp. were prevalent only in Berkshire and more Italian ryegrass fields ( ca , 50%) were infected than perennial ryegrass fields ( ca , 10%). Infection was confined to the period March to May. This pathogen caused more leaf area damage than Drechslera .
Puccinia coronata occurred only once in Devon and Wales. In Berkshire incidence was confined to 1978 and was common from September to November, when 60–70% of both Italian and perennial ryegrass fields were infected. Some difference between perennial ryegrass cultivars was observed.