Common root rot is a fungal disease of barley caused by Cochliobolus sativus, Fusarium culmorum and F.
[1][2] Initial symptoms appear as small brown spots on the crown roots, the lower sheath, and the subcrown internode.
This spots will elongate and coalesce and can cause an extensive brown discoloration at the crown, and the entire length of the subcrown internode.
The spores can survive for many years, and germinate in the presence of susceptible plants.
Shallow seeding and optimum fertilization levels, especially of phosphate and potassium, reduce disease severity.