Loose smut is a seed-borne disease caused by the fungus Ustilago tritici (U. nuda) in barley. It first appears at ear emergence, as a mass of dark brown spores in place of healthy grains. The spores are released from the fragile membranes encasing them and are dispersed by wind where they land on flowering heads. The spore germinates in the floret; allowing the fungus to spread to the embryo where it survives dormant until the seed is sown. This process then repeats in the following season. Infected seeds are asymptomatic, but infection can be diagnosed through laboratory testing. Loose smut is most prolific in seasons that promote disease conducive environmental conditions at flowering, favoured by rainfall and high humidity.
Not only does loose smut reduce grain yields but it can affect grain marketability. As, the maximum tolerance of 0.1 gram of smut per half litre of grain is enforced, as established by the Grain Trade Australia commodity standard.
Management:
Overall, barley loose smut should be managed by employing a series of strategies in a management plan, not just one. Thus, management strategies for barley loose smut include:
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