Cereal fungicides (All regions)

Published: 6 May 2013

GRDC Managing cereal fungicides West cover

Understanding foliar fungal diseases of cereals and how to manage them is in the interests of both the individual and the grains industry as a whole. Most diseases that affect cereals are caused by fungi. A fungal species that causes disease is called a pathogen.

Key Points

  • ––Fungicides are only one component of a good management strategy.
  • ––Correct identification of the cause of plant symptoms is essential, and an understanding of the growth and spread of any pathogen will assist in any decision making.
  • ––Cultivar resistance is the best protection against fungal diseases. Ideally, when agronomically suitable varieties are available, opt for moderately resistant (MR) to resistant (R) varieties in disease-prone environments.
  • ––Disease control using fungicides is an economic decision.
  • ––Understand the role of the season and have a plan in place, and if growing susceptible varieties have the right chemicals on hand.
  • ––For cereal rusts and mildew, remove the green bridge between crops to prevent rusts from over-seasoning.
  • ––Monitor crops throughout the season. ––Spray if disease threatens key plant parts (flag to flag-2) of varieties that are moderately susceptible (MS) or susceptible (S).
  • Fungicides do not increase yield; they protect yield potential and cannot retrieve lost yield if applied after infection is established.
  • Fungicide resistance is a major emerging issue. Do not use tebuconazole-based products on barley if there is any chance of powdery mildew occurring, and select varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew. 

Region West, South, North, National

Region: National; North; South; West

GRDC Project Code: CUR1106-001RTX,