New host-plants of ergot pathogen Claviceps purpura (Fr.) Tul. were identified in Poaceae (R. Brown) Barnharth family in Lithuania during the surveys arranged over the period 2001–2006. There were identified 8 new Poaceae family plant species affected by C. purpurea: Melica altissima L., Bromus secalinus L., Deshampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin., Festuca pseudalmatica K., Helictotrichon sempervirens (Vill.) Pilg., Phalaris paradoxa L., Secale montana L., Stipa turkestanica K. The results of previous research as well our findings indicate that 87 Poaceae family plant species are known to be affected by ergot in Lithuania.

One of the most serious seed-borne diseases of flax is anthracnose or seedling blight caused by Colletotrichum lini (West.) Toch. This disease affects flax seedlings, leaves, stems, and fruit bags. It causes reductions in linseed germination power, stand density, stem and linseed yield, fibre output and quality. During 1999-2001 experiments were carried out at the Lithuanian Institute ofAgriculture Upyte Experimental Station to test the efficacy of seven fungicides used for seed dressing against flax anthracnose and other seedborne diseases. Experimental findings indicated that 19.0% to 34.0% of flax seeds were annually infected with C. lini (West.) Toch. causing flax anthracnose. As the disease can spread through the soil, on control plots sown with untreated with fungicides seeds 33.0% to 79.5% of seedlings showed symptoms of anthracnose. Seed treatment with Sportak 45 EC used at the dose 0.8 l f1 and Maxim Star 025 FS used at the dose 1.51 t-1 gave the best control of seedling blight causal agents. Their biological efficacy was as follows: against seed anthracnose 97.3% and 96.3%, at seedling stage, 76.5% and 76.3%, at 'fir-tree' stage - 67.8% and 60.4%. Biological efficacy of the other seed treaters was lower. The highest straw yield increases resulted from seed treatment with the Maxim Star 025 FS and Sportak 45 EC - 0.5 and 0.3 t ha" or 11.0% and 6.2%, respectively. The effect of fungicides used for seed treatment on linseed yield was similar. Maxim Star 025 FS increased the yield on average by 22.1%, and Sportak 45 EC and Premis 25 FS by 13. 7% and 13.3%. The other fungicides, except for Raxil 2 WS and Rovral FLO, also had a positive effect on flax straw and linseed yield, however, in all experimental years the increases were not higher than the least significant difference.

Investigation of leaf rust disease on spring crops of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.), it sdi stribution dynamics, as well as the efficacy of two fungicides, different application doses and timing was carried out at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture during 2000–2002. Differences in the disease development were determined by the meteorological conditions, especially the amount of rainfall, and growth stage of plants. Precipitation during 2000 was close to the mean, and the development of leaf rust was moderate. In June of 2001 the rainfall was twice as high as the norm, which created favourable conditions for pathogen development. In 2002 a long droughty period till flowering inhibited the development of leaf rust. The triazole fungicides Juventus (metkonazole 60 g l^–1) and triazole and strobilurine mixture. Allegro (kresoxim-methyl 125 g l^–1 + epoxikonazole 125 g l^–1) were used at full, two-third and half doses once and twice. Both of the fungicides were very effective against leaf rust. Biological efficacy of Juventus applied at any dose or time against leaf rust was 88.3%–99.7%. Allegro efficacy against this disease was slightly higher 94.7%–100%. Application of 1.0; 0.75 and 0.5 l ha^–1 doses twice showed a better efficacy than a single application. The higher doses of fungicides were not markedly superior to the lower ones.