Abstract

Locally grown barley is in high demand in the Northeast by local breweries and distilleries. One major challenge that grain growers encounter is infection by fungal diseases, such as loose smut. Loose smut appears on grains as “smutted grain heads”, which are filled with spores that appear black or brown. The spore masses replace the grain heads, so that fewer or no viable kernels are left for harvest. Smutted heads are caused by the fungal pathogen genus Ustilago. Ustilago nuda commonly infects barley, while Ustilago tritici infects wheat. Loose smut reduces grain yield and quality, and uncontrolled outbreaks have the potential to wipe out an entire grain crop. Because the disease is seed-borne and spread by wind throughout the crop while the grain is heading, it can increase exponentially in the seed supply. In the US, seed-borne pathogens are often managed with conventional fungicides. This presents a challenge to organic systems, as organic farmers cannot use conventional fungicides in their practices, but still need successful methods of preventing pathogens that commonly infect grains. Alternatives to fungicides include organic seed amendments and aerated steam treatments. Aerated steam treatments are used to disinfect contaminated grain to mitigate cereal seed-borne diseases and fungi. The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crop and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a trial consisting of three different aerated steam treatments (varying in time and temperature) to assess the efficacy of steam treatment in reducing the incidence of loose smut in spring barley.

Publication Date

1-2024

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