Symptoms and Signs
This disease is specific to oats and appears as reddish-tan leaf blotches that are somewhat linear with irregular margins. Heavily infected leaves die. Seedling blight may occur if coleoptiles are infected.
Comments on the Disease
The fungus survives on infected, undecayed plant debris in soil or, less commonly, inside the hull of infected seed. The disease is favored by cool and rainy weather. This pathogen can also cause crown rot.
Management
Cultural Control
No specific control is necessary in California. Practices that control other diseases, such as the use of clean seed, crop rotation, and elimination of crop residue, help control leaf blotch as well.
Text Updated: 04/26