The fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, the causal agent of the brown spot of barley (Hordeum vulgare), survives as mycelium in infected seeds or saprofiticaly on host plant debris. In lab experiments, various methods for seed testing [blotter test; blotter test + liquid components of the Reis selective medium; PDA medium; tomato paste medium; V-8 medium; Reis selective medium, and the Dodman & Reinke selective medium] were compared regarding the detection of B. sorokiniana in barley seeds. The selective media, especially the Reis medium, were more sensitive than the PDA and the blotter tests. Seed freezing (- 20 ºC for 16 h) prior to incubation did not improve the fungus detection and determined similar results for all methods.
