Ergot in Cereal Crops

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the ergot fungus and its impact on cereal crops, management practices, and definitions of relevant terms.

Ergot

A fungus that targets rye, wheat, barley, and other cereals.

Claviceps purpurea

The scientific name of the fungus commonly known as ergot.

Sclerotia

Hard bodies produced by ergot that can survive in soil or contaminated seed.

Honeydew

An amber liquid produced by ergot before forming sclerotia, which traps dust and pollen.

Yield Loss

Reduced grain production caused by infected florets either not producing grain or forming sclerotia.

Ascospores

Wind-borne spores released by sclerotia that infect susceptible host plants.

Field Sanitation

Practices such as cutting or burning nearby grasses to manage ergot in crops.

Deep Cultivation

A management practice to bury sclerotia below the soil to reduce ergot recurrence.

Copper Fertilizer

A nutrient applied to soil when copper levels are low to reduce ergot in crops.

Management Approaches

Techniques such as delaying swathing and rotating crops to minimize ergot infection.