First report of barley blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) in Bangladesh

Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) was shown for the first time to cause barley blast in Bangladesh after distinct partially or fully bleached heads were observed in barley fields in Jashore and Meherpur in April 2019. The fungus isolated from diseased spikes was identified as Magnaporthe oryzae based on conidial morphology. MoT was confirmed based on results of ITS sequencing and a MoT3-specific molecular marker assay. Symptoms identical to those in the field were developed on leaves and spikes inoculated with the isolate.