Loose Smut in Hybrid Barley

Swiss Toni

Member
Seeing some of what I think is loose smut developing in a field of Sunningdale hybrid barley. Interesting to hear people’s thoughts if this is no big deal or totally unacceptable after using this type of seed.
 

B'o'B

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Rutland
Seeing some of what I think is loose smut developing in a field of Sunningdale hybrid barley. Interesting to hear people’s thoughts if this is no big deal or totally unacceptable after using this type of seed.
Seems to be a national issue that nobody can explain yet, lots of varieties affected and different seed dressings.
There is lots of investigation going on traceing seed lots histories back 3-4years, testing seed dressing batches to ensure manufactured to correct strength. It’s a worrying development.
 

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
Seems to be a national issue that nobody can explain yet, lots of varieties affected and different seed dressings.
There is lots of investigation going on traceing seed lots histories back 3-4years, testing seed dressing batches to ensure manufactured to correct strength. It’s a worrying development.
Very interesting.
 

robbie

Member
BASIS
SPD hybrid has a few Smut ears but oddly my cassia which is several generations old which hasn't had a dressing doesn't seem to be affected but I've still got to rouge the biggest block so I may find somemore then.

I assume smut in the crop means a big no no for farm saving or will it be ok for fss if it's dressed.
 

B'o'B

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Rutland
SPD hybrid has a few Smut ears but oddly my cassia which is several generations old which hasn't had a dressing doesn't seem to be affected but I've still got to rouge the biggest block so I may find somemore then.

I assume smut in the crop means a big no no for farm saving or will it be ok for fss if it's dressed.
Seed testing needed for sure before home saving. Treating a bit of an unknown as the loose smut have come through treatments this season so I would guess that there is no guarantee of control next season unless they figure out what’s going on. Spores move a long way (1km) on the wind so don’t assume because a crop hasn’t had it the seed will be clear of it.
 
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B'o'B

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Rutland
Loads of reports of smut in barley but if infected ears are counted it's still below certification threshold.
Well in that case it can’t be anything to be worried about!
It’s only made it past some treatments that had for years all but eradicated it from the national crop.
 

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