Key Points
- An unreplicated observation trial was established in the autumn of 2002 to evaluate the effect of leaf diseases on ryegrass seed crops after harvest.
- Leaf rust increased into the autumn, but decreased into winter.
- Dreschlera complex and Ramularia spot increased over this time.
- Fungicides helped maintain green leaf area.
- Visually, herbage yields appeared to be greater with fungicide treatments, but DM sampling did not support this.