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Causal organism - Cephalosporium gramineum
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The fungus causing the disease is soil-borne and enters the roots of plants via damage. In the UK this disease used to be common in wheat following grass where high levels of wireworm (Agriotes spp.) were found - causing root damage. Soil-borne conidia normally enter roots through damage in the winter months and the fungus grows up the xylem vessels, blocking vascular tissues, particularly at the nodes. The fungus survives in crop debris returned to the soil after harvest.
Importance
The disease is common but at very low levels in the UK and does not cause economic damage.
