Yield Loss Due to Scald and Net Blotch on Barley in North Shewa

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess the yield loss of barley due to scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) and net blotch (Pyrenophora teres) at Ankober and Faji North Shewa during the 1999 and 2000 ‘meher’ seasons. The trial was laid out in a split plot design with three replications using Mirsrach variety and local landrace in main plots and a fungicide Propiconazole (Tilt 250 EC) in sub plots. The disease pressure was almost non on the sprayed plots. The unsprayed treatments had significantly reduced grain yield, straw yield and thousand-kernel weight, at both locations and in both years, as compared to the sprayed treatments. However, there was no significant difference between varieties as well as among the interactions of varieties and fungicides. In 1999, mean grain yield losses of 19.87 and 4.86% were obtained at Ankober and Faji, respectively, while in 2000 both the disease pressure and the yield losses were very high resulting in 37.39 and 14.49% mean grain yield losses at Ankober and Faji, respectively. Therefore, there is a need for scald and net blotch diseases control measures at the highlands of North Shewa, particularly at the surroundings of Ankober area.