Old Bunt of Wheat

History and Importance:

  • Most serious disease of wheat in Europe in middle ages
  • Also known covered smut of wheat
  • Confined to cooler regions
  • Difficult to threshing & reduce grain quality 

Etiology:

Causal organism: Tilletia controversra

Order: Ustilaginales

Family: Tillitiaceae

Symptoms:

  • Pistil from smutted heads become longer
  • Stamens reduced in length & breadth
  • Smutted ears remain dark green for longer time than normal
  • Soft black pasty mass comes out if the grains are pinched with thumb & forefinger

Disease cycle:

  • Primary inoculum: spores carried on seed or present in soil
  • Remain viable in soil for 10 years

Epidemiology:

  • High relative humidity
  • Temp 18-20 °C

Management:

  • Growing of resistant varieties (Perwaz, Watan, Sehar, Shafaq)
  • Use disease free seed
  • Seed treatment with Agrosan GN 2%, Benlate o.3%

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