Cereals: Wheat: Dwarf Bunt (Tilletia controversa)

Excerpt from Chapter 4, Field Crop Protection Guide, Order this publication

Table of Contents

1. Integrated Pest Management Options
   • Seed Treatment
• difenoconazole + metalaxyl-M – Dividend XL RTA
• carbathiin + thiram – Vitaflo 280
2. Related links...

Integrated Pest Management Options

Occurs on winter wheat, primarly in counties bordering Georgian Bay and Lake Huron where snow cover is deep and persistent in late winter and early spring. Plant seed that is free of bunt spores (black). Treat seed when bunt has been observed in the crop. Cut high with the combine. Wheat infected with dwarf bunt will be substantially shorter than healthy plants. Infected seed has a "fishy" smell. Raising the header reduces the amount of bunt balls being harvested. Coverage of the seed with fungicide seed treatments is important to their effectiveness. Avoid planting wheat into fields with soil-borne dwarf bunt for 5-7 years since the fungus is very persistent.

Seed Treatment

Comments (Days to harvest, label precautions, etc.)
For both commercial seed treatment plants and on-farm treatment using standard gravity flow- or mist-type seed treatment equipment. May also be used in treat-on-the-go seeder. Do not graze, feed green forage or cut for hay within 35 days of planting.

Comments (Days to harvest, label precautions, etc.)
Seed-borne only. Do not graze or feed livestock on treated areas for 6 weeks after planting.

Related links...

• Agronomy Guide for Field Crops - Publication 811
  • Cereal: Dwarf Bunt and Common Bunt (Wheat)
• Diseases
• Cereals