This article comprehensively reviews common root rot (Bipolaris sorokiniana) in Australia, covering the disease cycle, economic loss, management, traditional and emerging detection methods and research focus in the last 50 years.

Abstract

Common root rot (CRR) caused by the soilborne pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana (teleomorph Cochliobolus sativus) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Identification of CRR is difficult and time-consuming for human assessors due to the non-distinctive above-ground symptoms, with browning of subcrown internodes and roots the most distinguishing symptom of infection. CRR disease has been recognized as a significant disease for cereal crops in many countries. In 2009, CRR in Australia was estimated to cause $30 million average annual yield loss for wheat and $13 million for barley. Recent evidence indicates CRR may be more prevalent than expected in Australian wheat cropping areas due to lack of research on this disease. Low levels of B. sorokiniana survive in the soil for up to 10 years and attack plants at early stages of growth. Therefore, mitigating CRR in wheat and barley may not be practical at the late stages of infection due to lack of effective methods; however, early detection might be viable to alleviate the impact of this disease. A comprehensive overview of CRR caused by B. sorokiniana, including disease background, worldwide economic losses, management methods, potential CRR detection using multispectral and hyperspectral sensors and the research focus over the past 50 years is provided in this article. This review paper is expected to provide thorough supplemental information for current studies about CRR and proposes recommendations for whole-of-field disease scouting methods to farmers, enabling reduced time and cost for CRR management and increasing wheat and barley production worldwide.