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Bunt, or stinking
smut |
Causal organism - Urocystis agropyri
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The disease is normally considered a problem on autumn sown wheat in countries with arid summers and mild winters. The disease is favoured by minimal cultivation practices which leave plant debris on the soil surface. Spring sown wheats are not affected by the disease. One to two year breaks from wheat can reduce inoculum levels and deep ploughing can help to remove to inoculum from the emerging seedlings.
Systemic chemical seed treatment is the most effective means of controlling the disease. In the UK the only effective chemical is triadimenol (in Baytan).
