Document Type : Plant Pathology
Authors
1
Crop and Horticultural Science Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Ardabil, Iran,
2
Agricultural Jihad Center of Irdemousi-Sareyn
10.22092/jaep.2026.373193.1579
Abstract
Dwarf bunt caused by Tilletia controversa is a major quarantine disease of wheat, with reported yield losses up to 75%. Known hosts are mainly wheat, rye, and wild oats. During the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons, unusual symptoms of this disease were observed on barley (Hordeum vulgare) in fields of Irdemousi (Sareyn, Ardabil Province). Symptoms included severe stunting, increased tillering, widened spikes, open glumes, and round grains filled with dark brown teliospore masses emitting a rotten fish odor. Microscopic examination revealed teliospore characteristics (spherical to subspherical, brown, thick walled with a gelatinous sheath, reticulate surface, 17–23 µm) matching reference descriptions, confirming T. controversa. This fungus was first reported on wheat in Iran in 1986, but no prior economic damage on barley has been documented. Hence, this report is the first official record of dwarf bunt damage on barley, carrying epidemiological significance and serving as a warning for barley fields adjacent to infected wheat areas. Disease severity reached 30% in some fields, accompanied by yield reduction. Low soil temperature (below 8 °C) at germination was a contributing factor. The disease typically occurs in high altitude regions with prolonged snow cover. The host range expansion to barley underscores the need to investigate potential new races. For disease management, use of certified seed, seed treatment with difenoconazole (Dividend), deep ploughing, optimal planting dates, and monitoring are recommended. Given the fungus’s long survival in soil and seed transmission, replanting seed from heavily infested fields must be avoided. Farmer education is essential to control disease.
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