The use of pathogen-free seed or a fungicide seed treatment can reduce seedborne or soilborne inoculum. Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew is caused by the fungus Erysiphe graminis . The pathogen attacks barley, rye, and triticale. With fall rains, spores are released from cleistothecia, and they infect nearby plants. Spores produced on these plants may be carried by winds a long distance and infect other plants.
Symptoms appear as pure white, fluffy growth on the surface of the leaf.
This growth enlarges rapidly and individual colonies coalesce, producing so many spores that the leaf appears powdery. Infection leads to premature yellowing and later death of the leaf. The use of resistant varieties is the best method of disease control. The fungicide seed treatment Baytan can offer early season protection for 8 to 10 weeks after planting. Leaf Rust Leaf rust is a common disease on many cereal crops.