Spot form net blotch (SFNB) is one of the most common foliar diseases of barley in Australia. It can be economically important in favourable seasons. In the low rainfall zones (LRZ) of Western Australia, there is a lack of confidence and knowledge of the factors that will cause a SFNB epidemic and economic losses due to environment variability, stubble decomposition rates over summer, and likely spore release timing to infect the barley crop during the season.

Further information on SFNB epidemiology in the LRZ of WA is therefore vital to aid in the development of effective control measures that provide economically acceptable suppression of the disease in any given season. Additionally, the understanding of this will ultimately reduce the number of unnecessary fungicide applications when the environment is less disease-conducive and reduce the risk of the of fungicide resistance development to the limited mode of actions (MOA) available.

This investment aims to provide:

• Data on the economic/disease impact from SFNB in barley to growers and advisers. This information will provide LRZ relevant economic thresholds that represent the loss of profit in the presence of SFNB in barley.
• How cultural practices influence disease development in the LRZ of Western Australia.
• Effective, practical and economical management strategies for SFNB that is specific to the LRZ of Western Australia.