Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus

Published: 11 Sep 2013

Cover page of the Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus fact sheet - Management tips to avoid yield penalties

Management Tips to Avoid Yield Penalties

Growers in high rainfall zones should be proactive and develop a Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) management plan which includes crop monitoring, green bridge management, foliar pesticide sprays and pre-sowing seed treatment. These actions will control aphid populations which spread BYDV.

Key points

  • BYDV infects cereal crops such wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale and grasses.
  • It is transmitted by aphids which can pass the disease onto plants within 15 minutes of feeding.
  • The virus only survives in living tissues. It does not survive in stubbles or soils and is not airborne.
  • It is most damaging in higher rainfall zones, such as the South East of SA, Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, western Victoria and the northern Tablelands in NSW, where permanent grasses and pastures act as a reservoir for the virus and aphids over summer.
  • The earlier the infection the more severe the damage. Leaves turn yellow from the tips and develop yellow stripes extending towards the base. Some reddening or purpling of the leaves may occur along the edges.
  • Growers should have a management plan which includes selecting resistant varieties, continual crop monitoring, managing the green bridge, presowing seed dressing and spraying foliar insecticides if required (noting correct label usage).  

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Region South, North

Region: North; South