Crop Clinic

Snow rot in barley has been rare in recent years but the promise of a hard winter from the weather forecasters may change that.

Snow rot is the common name for the fungal disease caused byTyphula incarnata.  The first signs of a problem usually occur in the spring when the crop has widespread patches of dead plants.  On closer inspection, you may find the typical orange fungal bodies within the plant tissue.

Winter barley crops most at risk will be those grown in continuous barley rotations, where the crop is likely to be stressed through manganese deficiency, and where snow may lie on the crop for long periods.  The most likely areas of fields to be affected are the endrigs.

Snow rot can also affect crops in a mild winter, but it is most common when snow lies on the crop for several weeks.  The snow acts as a layer of insulation, leading to conditions just above freezing at  soil level.  These conditions favour the fungus but also cause stress to the crop.