Effect of the systemic fungicide benodanil on the growth and development of six spring barley varieties in the presence or absence of brown rust infection in the glasshouse.

When applied at the juvenile growth stage, benodanil significantly reduced the occurrence of rust (Puccinia bordei) on barley plants. This was found in the susceptible varieties Midas, Zephyr, and Mazurka as well as in the slow-rusting varieties Tyra, Emir, and Vada. Benodanil increased the growth of non-infected plants, it reduced however tillering and the total leaf number of the plants. The effect on the growth, development, and yield of infected plants differed between the varieties, with the susceptible varieties reacting better to fungicide application.