Efficacy evaluation of fungicides in control of net blotch (Pyrenophora teres) on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) employing new technologies in the field

Abstract

Barley is an important cereal crop cultivated extensively for the purposes of animal feed, human food consumption, and malt production. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ranks as the third most grown cereal crop in Greece, behind soft and hard wheat. Nevertheless, in recent years, there has been an increase in fungal infections on barley as a result of climate change, wherein elevated temperatures and humidity create favourable conditions for the occurrence of diseases. Hordeum vulgare L. is extensively infected by an important disease known as net blotch, which is caused by the fungal pathogen Pyrenophora teres. This disease results in substantial decreases in crop productivity and diminishes the overall quality of the harvested grains. To effectively control net blotch, it is necessary to implement a range of methods. However, due to their efficiency and accessibility of usage, fungicides remain the main method of disease management. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides against Pyrenophora teres f. teres using visual assessment methods. Visual grading enables the evaluation of the extent of disease severity and the efficacy of fungicide treatments. On the contrary, precision agriculture employs advanced methods, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and image sensors, to observe the development of diseases and assess the efficacy of fungicides. Although net blotch is gaining significance in Greece, there is a scarcity of studies on the effectiveness of fungicide mixtures under comparable environmental conditions. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a currently registered fungicide (mefentrifluconazole and pyraclostrobin) in Greece through the utilization of existing assessment techniques and cutting-edge technological systems. The importance of this research resides in the imperative of decreasing the adverse impacts of Pyrenophora teres on barley cultivation through the application of novel formulations of fungicides. To minimize the negative impact of plant protection products on the environment, one can achieve the desired results by using the lowest possible effective dose. The study also emphasizes the need for precise timing and repeated use of fungicides for optimum disease prevention. Utilizing modern technology, such as image analysis, can yield precise and reliable data on the efficacy of fungicides. This is particularly relevant in the field of precision agriculture, where the interactions between the structure and function of fungal infections are highly significant.