Leaf stripe of barley caused by pyrenophora graminea, occurrence in barley seeds in Iran

In order to evaluate the certified and foundation barley seed contamination with leaf stripe disease, 180 samples from different most important provinces were tested in 2011-2012 in Iran. For isolation of pyrenophora graminea, osmotic method was used. The brick-red pigment which changed colour to violet was counted as infected (ISTA, 2012).Results of variance analysis of tests showed significant differences (P=0.01) among the provinces. The results showed that the highest infection percent of barley fields to leaf stripe in certified categories were related to Golestan, Qom and Hamedan by 13, 11.17 and 10.67 percent respectively. The lowest infection was belonged to Semnan, Yazd, Zanjan, Ardabil, Mazandaran and Isfahan (less than 1 percent). In foundation (mother) barley seeds Golestan and Qom were placed in one group with the highest infection rate ( > 10%) to barly leaf stripe disease. West Azarbayejan, Ardabil, Mazandaran, Isfahan, Hamedan and Semnan were free of disease or less than 1% infection. More research could be done in order to determine economical importance of seed-borne diseases of barley in infested regions since yield losses caused by this fungal pathogens can cause significant yield losses in barley.