The black spots of oat (Avena sativa) grains, caused mainly by Pyrenophora chaetomioides, is characterized by the darkening of their superficial tissues, with reduction in their quality and value for the industry. In order to understand the infection process and formation of kernel spots the objectives of this work were i) to determine the period of kernel's susceptibility during their spot formation by P. chaetomioides on the floral components; ii) to determine the different levels of resistance of 15 oat genotypes to black spot and its correlation with kernel infection; iii) to assess the effect of chemical control on the expression of the disease during the period of kernel formation. In the laboratory, the percentage of spotted grains and the incidence of P. chaetomioides in the floral components was evaluated, whereas in the field, yield and industrial weight were measured. Milk and dough stages had the largest incidences of P. chaetomioides in the floral components. The genotypes differed with regard to the black spot symptom on the kernel as well as with the incidence, but no correlation between these two variables was observed. Chemical control during the flowering stage reduced in 21% the incidence of the fungus in the seed in relation to the control. Despite of this, chemical control was neither efficient enough to reduce spot formation nor to increase yield to compensate its cost.
chemical control; fungicide; black spot of oat
