Effects of Rhynchosporium secalis at specific growth stages on barley grown in a controlled environment

Under controlled environmental conditions, inoculation of barley at five growth stages with Rhynchosporium secalis reduced grain yield by up to 30%. Greater yield losses resulted from inoculations carried out after tillering than from those during or before tillering. Most of the yield loss was due to a reduction in the number of heads per plant. The number of grains per head was reduced only when plants were inoculated at mid- or late-tillering growth stages. The mean weight of individual grains was not reduced significantly by any treatment. Inoculation at stem elongation also resulted in less leaf area and water use, and delayed anthesis. Inoculation affected root dry weight more than shoot dry weight and all inoculations reduced root dry weight at the boot growth stage