Evaluation and importance of genetic resistance to leaf stripe in Western European barleys

Several varieties of spring barley were tested in the greenhouse for resistance to leaf stripe (Drechslera grammea) following exposure to high levels of inoculum in the field, or by using the sandwich inoculation method. Pedigree analyses confirmed that most highly resistant varieties have obtained their resistance from a gene in the landrace Hordeum laevigatuni via the variety ‘Vada’, while the remaining few may have it from the donor ‘Ricardo’, or from the cumulative effect of partial resistance. Experiments with fungicide seed treatment of ‘Golf and ‘Triumph’, which represent highly resistant, and susceptible genotypes, respectively, showed that the former always remained healthy, and does not benefit from seed treatment, whereas the latter requires treatment every year to avoid any seed loss.