Reviews of taxonomy, epidemiology, and management practices of the barley scald (Rhynchosporium graminicola) disease

Barley scald is very important in temperate and wet regions worldwide and has become one of the most important foliar diseases. Before the development of recent technologies, several scientists had argued that Rhynchosporium secalis is the causal agent of scald disease. However, the causal agent of this disease was revised and recognized as Rhynchosporium commune. Again recently, Rhynchosporium graminicola was suggested to be replaced as the causal agent of R. commune. The disease outbreak is depending on cool and frequent rainfall. Because of scald disease significance, numerous management practices have been advocated. Then, resistance materials, and mixing of resistant and susceptible cultivars have been used as the best management methods. Several studies have demonstrated that some cultivars and landraces of barley are resistant to scald disease during the seedling and adult growth stages. The first cultivar is “Atlas 46″ which was created from the cultivar “Turk”. From biological method: Bacillus polymyxa, Paenibacillus polymyxa KaI245, and Bacillus subtilis are very effective in treating this disease. Finally, as a last option, different fungicides have been suggested. Pathogenicity testing, seed treatments, tillage, cultivar mixtures, and biological control are all commonly overlooked in developing countries. Cultural practices such as times of fungicide application, appropriate time of sowing to scape disease, and tillage practices which are adopted for other diseases are greatly missed for scald disease. Then, we are intended to assess the various findings available on barley scald biology, taxonomy, and management.