Leaf Blotch, Victoria Blight, Culm Rot (fungi - Drechslera avenacea, Bipolaris victoriae, Bipolaris maydis): Three species of fungi cause economically significant diseases of oats. With leaf blotch, oblong, linear blotches appear on the leaves. The blotches are light-yellow at first, later turning red to brown. Victoria blight is a seedling blight and sometimes seedlings are killed soon after they emerge. In other cases, plants are stunted, leaves turn red and lower leaves eventually die. Culm rot is a basal stem and root rot. Seed treatment and crop rotation will help prevent this disease.
