Ministry of Agriculture Monitors Crop Health, Issues Recommendations to Combat Fungal Diseases

In its ongoing efforts to monitor the health of major crops, the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, and Water Resources has reported the detection of several fungal diseases that could rapidly spread due to favorable climatic conditions. These conditions include consistent rainfall and relatively moderate temperatures throughout the month of March.

The ministry has issued preventive and treatment recommendations for cereal and forage fields, as follows:

Barley Fields:

• Net Blotch Disease: Present in all barley fields with varying severity, reaching the upper leaves in some areas and causing them to dry out. Immediate intervention is required across all production regions using approved fungicides.
• Powdery Mildew and Net Blotch Co-Occurrence: If both diseases are detected in a barley field, the use of a dual-action fungicide is recommended.

Oat Fields:

• Crown Rust Disease: Immediate preventive or curative treatment is advised for oat fields (intended for grain or forage production) using approved fungicides.

Durum Wheat Fields:

• Tan Spot Disease: Detected in most durum wheat fields with varying severity. Immediate treatment is necessary upon the first signs of symptoms due to its rapid spread under current climatic conditions.
• Septoria Leaf Blotch: If the disease surpasses the lower leaves (particularly in early-sown or monoculture fields), intervention is recommended to prevent it from reaching the upper leaves and affecting yield. A dual-action fungicide targeting both Septoria leaf blotch and powdery mildew (if detected) can be used, along with preventive measures against rust diseases to reduce intervention costs.

Soft Wheat Fields:

• Powdery Mildew: Treatment is required if the infection worsens and moves beyond the lower leaves, especially in fields with high sowing density. A dual-action fungicide effective against powdery mildew and yellow rust is recommended.

The ministry emphasized the importance of calibrating spraying equipment and using specialized nozzles for fungicide application to ensure the effectiveness of interventions.

For further guidance, farmers are encouraged to contact the ministry’s central and regional offices.