Callaway County
Callaway County
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Jarman's Weekly Agronomy News July 5, 2000 |
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"Black" Wheat |
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We have watched the wheat crop turn from green to golden tan to gray to black. There have been reports of wheat, not just the heads, but the entire plants turning black in the field. A number of fungi or molds can grow on wheat. Since the affected plants may have a sooty appearance these fungi are sometimes called sooty molds. Sooty molds are secondary fungi that tend to develop on plants or heads when wet weather occurs as the crop is maturing or if harvest is delayed because of wet weather. Primary fungi attack while the crop is growing. Typically secondary fungi come in on heads that are shaded, undersized, weakened or prematurely ripened and on matured foliage. Plants that are lodged, have been stressed by nutrient deficiencies, plant diseases or environmental conditions may be more severely affected because they died sooner. Although many of these fungi produce dark or black mold growth, the color of the mold growth can range from dark or black to olive green or even pink to white. These secondary fungi tend to develop on dead or dying plant tissues but under favorable conditions can cause infection in the seed. Infected seed might show a black discoloration. If possible, do not save seed from fields with high levels of sooty mold. If seed from fields with sooty mold must be used for planting, seed should be cleaned thoroughly to remove all lightweight and shrunken kernels, a sample should be submitted for a germination test and the use of a fungicide seed treatment is highly recommended. Grain from fields with high levels of sooty molds should also be treated with care if it is stored. Again, grain should be thoroughly cleaned to remove lightweight, damaged or broken and moldy kernels. Grain should be stored at the proper moisture content and temperature and checked on a regular basis during storage. Proper storage of wheat on the farm takes more management than corn and soybeans. Information contained in this article came from Laura Sweets, Extension Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, 573-884-7307.
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