Ramularia Leaf Spot: A Major Threat to Barley Production in Ireland

Ramularia leaf spot (RLS) on barley is caused by the endophytic fungus Ramularia collo-cygni , which is an increasing threat to Irish farmers. This fungal disease leads to yield and financial losses, as it not only causes necrotic lesions on the leaves and early senescence but also impacts grain quality. Recently, the main fungicide used to control RLS in Europe was banned due to environmental impacts and its potential harm to human health. Furthermore, resistance has developed to the current fungicides used to control RLS in barley. Therefore, with the increasing global population and the growing impacts of climate change that favour the growth of the pathogen, it is more important than ever to find effective and sustainable solutions.