Studies on septaria leaf blotch disease of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) caused by Septoria tritici Desm.

Summary Septoria tritici Desm. is a common foliage pathogen of wheat in Canterbury. Symptoms are brown to straw‐coloured lesions which may extend across leaves causing death of tissues towards the tip. Pycnidia are produced abundantly and are confined to areas between the veins. Morphology, spore germination and cultural features of the causal fungus are described. Nomenclature of the pathogen is discussed. The disease, which in New Zealand is confined to wheat, is perpetuated by infected volunteer wheat plants and by pycnidia in crop debris.