Western Australian barley growers are being urged to check their crops for leaf rust, following some concerning detections in the South Stirling region.
Dr Kith Jayasena, a GRDC supported plant pathologist with DAFWA at Albany, says growers must adopt a 'no-nonsense' approach if barley leaf rust is found.

He said the rust had been found in two South Stirling commercial crops.

Dr Jayasena says growers finding the pin-sized orange rust pustules on barley leaves will have to spray to protect their crops, as most varieties are susceptible.

"The lifecycle of the fungus is short and it goes through population cycles very fast and therefore gets out of control quickly," he said.

"The last time we had an outbreak in WA was in 2006 and it had serious consequences for yield and quality."

Growers can have suspected rust checked for free by DAFWA at AGWEST Plant Laboratories (08 9368 3721).