Impact of common root rot in Queensland winter cereals

Impact of common root rot in Queensland winter cereals

Crown rot and common root rot are the two most important root and crown fungal diseases of winter cereals in Queensland. Losses were estimated in the northern region in 2009 at $53 million for wheat and barley, with approximately 30-59% incidence of these diseases occurring across this region. The incidence of common root rot, caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, has risen across SE Queensland. The corresponding impact on yield, and the cause of increased distribution in Queensland, is unknown due to the limited availability of yield loss data for common root rot and a lack of understanding of the aggressiveness and pathogenicity of B. sorokiniana isolates. Glasshouse pathogenicity experiments and plus and minus inoculated yield loss trials were conducted across three field seasons. 85% of B. sorokiniana isolates tested were moderately to highly pathogenic to bread wheat. Preliminary analysis of yield data from the 2023 plus and minus B. sorokiniana inoculated wheat trial, indicates that 10 out of the 33 varieties tested lost significant yield in the 2023 season with 7 of those varieties losing between 10 and 22%. This is higher than the 4 and 3 wheat varieties losing greater than 10% yield in the previously wet 2021 and 2022 field seasons, respectively. Benefits to Queensland growers of determining the impact of common root rot disease in winter cereal yield loss trials are the quantification of yield losses caused by this disease, improved future breeding strategies for common root rot resistant/tolerant varieties, and the development of integrated disease management strategies to prevent losses due to this disease.

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