Septoria Tritici

Septoria tritici is currently the major disease in wheat. Although more resistant varieties, including Robigus have recently been added to the HGCA Recommended List, many varieties remain susceptible, including Consort. Issues concerning fungicide resistance have made it more of a challenge to manage in susceptible varieties. Septoria tritici can occur at any time during the growing season. It causes the most damage to yield if it attacks the upper leaves, in particular the flag leaf.

Weather conditions which suit the spread of Septoria tritici spores from the bottom of the crop to the upper leaves are wet and windy. Spores ooze from affected lower leaves and are spalshed up the plant in heavy rain. Dew and wind can also chieve the same effect. Crop canopy can play a role in spreading the disease. Short crops or crops wehre leaf layers overlap make it easier for the disease to spread. Wet or windy weather conditions at flag leaf emergence are therefore high risk for disease spread.

Related information

As well as the link below, visit our monthly Crop Health Updates pages for timely advice on this disease.