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Causal organism - Omphalina pyxidata
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Until recently, the fungus had not previously been recognized as a pathogen of cereals in the UK, but there are reports of identical symptoms on wheat in Australia. The fungus is known to colonise grasses on light heathlands. Cases have been noted in winter barley and winter wheat.
The disease is normally first seen as stunted areas of poor growth. Affected
crops are frequently found on light, rather than heavy soils. Affected patches
are sometimes visible as early as December as sharply delineated but irregular
areas of stunted growth. In most cases the affected crop remains a normal
green colour. Roots and the soil adjacent to affected plants show characteristic
white hyphal masses (like small
pieces of cotton wool about 1mm across). Fruiting bodies (basidiocarps)
like tiny mushrooms can sometimes be found within affected patches between
January and March. They are approximately 2 cm high with a 1 cm diameter convex
cap.
