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Blind seed disease

14 December 2016

Blind seed disease is a fungus which infects grasses and causes loss of germination. The germination issues are associated with both primary infection and secondary infection. Primary infection occurs at flowering when the florets are open for pollination. During this time spores are released from near the soil surface and infect the open flowers. Triazole fungicides are the primary form of control during the primary infection phase. Application timing should occur when maximum numbers of florets are open for pollination.

Secondary infection occurs during wet weather when the initial infection develops an ‘ooze’ which under prolonged damp conditions can move from one spikelet to another on the seed head. Carbendazim applied at frequent intervals helps to protect the crop from secondary infection. This may mean treating after each rainfall event.

For further information, refer to the FAR Herbage Arable Update, No 52.

Source: FAR