Evaluating the timing of insecticide application to manage barley yellow dwarf virus and yield in winter barley

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is an important viral disease of grain crops worldwide and a major cause yield loss. The risk periods for BYDV infection coincide with milder temperature that prolongs aphid flight facilitates transmission through primary secondary movement in the crop. Secondary associated greater spread winter cereals. A critical component management therefore delaying sowing cereals correctly timing insecticide application to maximise crop protection. Previous research Ireland considered early (September) late (October onwards) sown Early did not consider action thresholds around temperature, spread. This set out understand optimal October barley reduce impact. 3°C was used as threshold development leads spread, treatments were applied at predictable intervals relation temperature. Results show symptoms are affected by spray time, location year, although only significant regard reduction symptoms. For both yield, there difference between untreated (control) plots “early” “late” applications insecticide, again more notable than yield. work indicates value optimising single control supports decision-making cereal crops.