Evaluation of Food Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties against Scald, Spot Blotch and Net Blotch Disease in Siltie and Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia Region

Background and Objective: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production in Ethiopia is constrained by foliar diseases, particularly Scald (Rhynchosporium secalis), Spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana, teleomorph Cochliobolus sativus), and Net blotch (Pyrenophora teres). These diseases significantly reduce grain yield and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of ten food barley varieties to Scald, Spot blotch, and Net blotch under natural infestation in the Siltie and Gurage zones of central Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications across three locations. Disease severity and Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) were recorded for Scald, Spot blotch, and Net blotch. Grain yield was measured at harvest, and correlations between disease severity and yield were analyzed using combined Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at p≤0.05. Results: A combined analysis of variance over three locations revealed a significant (p≤0.05) difference among examined varieties for scald, spot blotch, and net blotch disease. The verities Abdene and Biftu exhibited the highest scald severity of 25.7%, 24.5%, respectively. The maximum AUDPC for spot blotch was found in the varieties EH-1493 and Guta (656.9% days and 655.1% days, respectively). The lowest AUDPC of net blotch (154.9% days, 170.3% days) were obtained from Robera and HB1307, respectively. The highest grain yield of 5454.2 kg/ha, 5460.9 kg/ha were obtained from Adoshe and Robera, respectively. The terminal severity of scald, net blotch, and spot blotch showed a significant negative correlation with grain yield, with a correlation coefficient ranging from r = -0.25* to r = -0.79**. Conclusion: Adoshe and Robera were best performing and recommended varieties for the areas and with similar agro ecologies. However, further research on multiple diseases resistant variety development is crucial by identifying important sources of resistance genes.