Barley Disease Identified In Idaho

A damaging barley disease has been identified in Idaho for the first time, apparently moving north from Mexico and Oregon, officials said Wednesday.

Stripe rust race 24 was identified in Nez Perce County earlier this week, and farmers have been told to begin spraying fungicide immediately.

The disease is especially damaging because farmers have planted more barley acres this year to take advantage of good prices. Scientists said that none of the commercial barley varieties have a resistance to the disease.

The disease spreads in cool, damp weather and creates a yellowish-orange stripe that eventually covers the whole leaf, said Nez Perce County Extension agent Larry Smith. Crop losses as high as 40 percent are not uncommon in severe epidemics.

In related news, Eastern Washington wheat farmers have received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use fungicide Folicur on leaf, stem and stripe rusts. EPA approval was needed because Folicur is not registered for use on wheat.

, DataTimes