Crown rot resistance rating does not necessarily reflect yield performance when disease is present – six sites in 2017

Abstract

Key findings • Average yield loss from crown rot across the six field sites in 2017 ranged from 16% (0.46 t/ha) in the bread wheat variety Sunguard[PBR] to up to 50% (1.32 t/ha) in the durum variety DBA Bindaroi[PBR]. • A variety’s resistance rating was not a good reflection of its yield performance when infected with crown rot as tolerance level also dictates the rate of yield loss from this disease. • Variety choice resulted in an 8–34% yield benefit over growing the standard bread wheat variety EGA Gregory[PBR] when infected with crown rot. • Variety choice is not the sole solution to crown rot. • Variety choice can maximise profit in the current season, but does not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent cereal crops as all are susceptible to crown rot infection.