Fact Sheets And Publications
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus
Introduction
- Barley Yellow Dwarf (BYD) is caused by the viral pathogen Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) complex.
- The BYDV complex consists of five closely related viruses in the Luteoviridae family.
- The virus is spread by aphid vectors.
Identification
- Symptoms are often patchy due to aphid movement.
- Symptoms are most notable on the flag leaf and can be yellow, red, and/or purple (Fig 1).
- Infected plants may be stunted and have decreased internode lengths.
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) testing by laboratory or extensions services maybe necessary for accurate strain identification.
Management
- Bird Cherry Oat Aphids are associated with more yield loss than other aphid vectors (Fig 2) and fall infection is more damaging than infection of mature plants in the spring.
- Insecticide use is not usually economical due to sporadic aphid movement.
- Delaying planting until aphid populations decline can reduce the risk of BYD.
- Control grass weeds and volunteer
- cereals that are food sources for aphids.
- Genetic resistance is available in oats but
- limited in wheat and barley.
References
Crop Protection Network (2022, January 28). Barley
Yellow Dwarf of Wheat. Retrieved from:
https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/encyclopedia/barley-yellow-dwarf-of-wheat
D'Arcy, C. J., and L. L. Domier. “Barley Yellow Dwarf.”
Barley Yellow Dwarf, American Phytopathological Society, 2005,
https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/viral/pdlessons/Pages/BarleyYelDwarf.aspx
Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Authors: Joseph Cinderella and Dr. Alyssa Koehler
UD Cooperative Extension
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