First report of yellow rust on barley and triticale in Serbia

Abstract

In the past 40 years, the causal agent of yellow rust in barley, Psh (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei Erikss), has been registered worldwide. However, it has caused the greatest damage in areas with cold and humid climates, where yield losses reached up to 70%. Races of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), the causal agent of yellow rust in wheat, are usually not found in barley, and those that infect barley (Psh) are rarely virulent on wheat. However, there are barley genotypes that can be infected by certain Pst races. The causal agent of yellow rust in triticale (Pst) leads to significant yield losses and quality reduction in triticale. It is important to note that the Pst races (Warrior and Kranich), which have caused enormous wheat yield losses in Europe since 2011, have also been registered on triticale. The aggressive race of triticale (since 2006) and the Warrior and Kranich races (since 2011) have become prevalent over large areas of Europe within one or only a few years. Despite the occurrence of yellow rust on wheat in Serbia in previous years, it has not been registered on barley and triticale. This is the first report of yellow rust on barley and triticale in Serbia.