Distribution and Importance of Barley Diseases in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Barley is an important commodity, mostly used as feed for animals, malt and food for human consumption. Diseases are considered as the most important biotic factors that limit the production of the crop in Ethiopia in general and South Gondar zone in particular. However, the statuses of barley diseases distribution and importance have not well studied in this area. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify the distribution and importance of barley diseases in the study area. Field surveys were carried out at the period of 2021 and 2022 main growing season in major Barley growing districts of South Gondar zone. Survey results revealed the prevalence and intensity of different diseases of Barley across the districts at different levels. Among 93 observed fields, Net blotch was the most prevalent (77.52%) while the maximum severity up to 75% was recorded for scald and highest disease incidence up to 25% was recorded for smut. Therefore, initiation of integrated diseases management option at hot spot area of each disease was suggested, in addition to continuously evaluating the new sources of Barley genotypes for further breeding program.