Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist; bobmul@udel.edu
Scouting barley regularly is important to monitor for diseases such as powdery mildew and spot blotch, especially in ‘Thoroughbred’. This variety has great yield potential but is very susceptible to powdery mildew and the disease has been yield limiting. Fungicide applications may be warranted if enough disease is present and yield potential is high. Most other varieties would not likely respond to fungicide control of powdery mildew and/or spot blotch unless disease occurrence was very high.