Barley loose smut has been widely reported across the Mallee and Wimmera this season. Affected plants are found with black heads which disperse spores and appear to ‘disintegrate’. This webinar provided an update on the current loose smut situation in Victorian and West Australian barley crops and what the best management strategies are for 2024. Andrea Hill (DPIRD), Hari Dadu (AgVic), and Geoff Thomas (DPIRD) provided the latest information about loose smut, particularly relating to the current situation in Victoria and Western Australia. Topics covered included:

• Why 2023 has had higher levels of loose smut compared to other years?
• What is the carryover risk?
• What are the best management options/strategies?