Diseases in Wheat - In Crop
Loose smut
Loose smut
Description
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Loose smut of wheat is caused by the fungus Ustilago tritici
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In Victoria, this disease is rarely seen because the regular use of seed treatments controls this disease.
Symptoms
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Infected ears emerge earlier, have a darker colour, and are slightly taller than the ears of healthy plants
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The florets of infected ears are full of a mass of black spores
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Once the spores are released, the head is reduced to a bare stalk
Damage
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Grain Trade Australia's commodity standards allow a maximum of 3 pieces of loose smut infected ear per half litre for all grades.
Control
Using systemic seed treatments every year will effectively control this disease. Following a loose smut outbreak in a crop new clean seed should be sourced.
Links and Resources
![]() Page contains information on cereal seed dressing and in-furrow fungicides used for looose smut, disease diagnosis, cautions, and further contacts. Page last updated 2011. |
![]() The section on loose smut of wheat contains information on symptoms, likelihood of infection, life cycle, recieval standards, and control. Published 2007, updated 2013. |
![]() Table 6: Wheat disease guide. Page 11. Causal organism, symptoms, occurrence, inoculum source, and control. Updated annually. |