THE OCCURRENCE OF BARLEY YELLOW DWARF VIRUS IN 2002 IN

In the spring of 2002 increased reduced growth of barley was observed at many locations in Croatia (Belje, Daruvar, Đakovo, Kutjevo, Nova Gradiška, Tovarnik, Valpovo and Zagreb). Based on the symptoms we concluded this was due to a virus infection. The barley leaves were golden yellow and lagged in growth. The change in leaf color began from the tip and edges of the leaf and spread to the lower parts. Watery spots could be observed on the yellowed leaves. The leaves of infected plants stood upright (bristled) and were thicker than those on the healthy plants. The symptoms on barley appeared on a group of several plants in a circle and included greater or smaller areas. Regarding dwarfing there were great differences. Some plants remained short – only 10-15 cm high and the ears were smaller and often empty. The symptoms on wheat were similar to those on barley and on some varieties the yellow color on the leaves turned to a reddish color. There was no marked underdevelopment on wheat. With increased temperatures in May and June the leaves gradually lost their yellow color. Samples of plants with symptoms were collected from the fields and the ELISA-test was performed for the presence of the PAV strain of the BYD virus. The virus was determined at the following locations: Brestovac (barley Lord; whea