Development of apothecia of the eyespot pathogen Tapesia on cereal crop stubble residue in England

A reservoir of infection of Tapesia yallundae may exist after harvest in bases of cereal stems due to the presence of apothecia capable of discharging infective ascospores. Apothecia of T. yallundae developed in a seasonal pattern on winter barley inoculated with the pathogen, with maximum numbers of apothecia produced on stubble 5-7 months after harvest. A similar pattern of development was observed on infected winter wheat. However, the peak in numbers of mature apothecia was observed 2 months later than in winter barley. Apothecia capable of discharging ascospores were present for up to 6 months on stubble. Apothecia of T. acuformis were not detected on spring or winter barley, or spring or winter wheat stubble, despite inoculation of growing crops with isolates of compatible mating type.