Planting spring wheat with ergot in it

[John]

Going to be planting spring wheat off the heap. It’s got some ergot in it should I get it cleaned or nothing to worry about? Only the second year we have grown it so no idea.

cheers

 

[John Slejpner]

The ag institutions of alberta canada are the experts on spring wheat / ergot.

Your seed will be at least a bit deficient in copper. Don't think this matters for germination, but will soon after and esp come flowering. Growing it in certain soil types short in available copper will increase the problem, esp high organic matter soils (albertas' problem).
Sorting copper status with foliar Cu (with manganese, always) ahead of flowering is easy enough, but do you need eg a Cu seed dressing?? I have no idea.

 

[John Slejpner]

https://albertawheat.com/media/the-...ergot-and-how-can-i-avoid-seeing-it-next-year

This is not what you want to hear, but they don't say its impossible. I think it is the first time i have seen someone associate boron levels, with copper, as relevant, which has plenty of logic.

 

[Flat 10]

You must get it treated though? To stop it increasing? Or is that BS?

 

[Lincsman]

It will make no difference, the Moulin C1 I bought many years ago was full of it, the harvested crop had none, the next years was a complete disaster for some with it if grown as first wheat, but thats another story.

 

[Exfarmer]

When we were growing Rye, one seed lot supplied by the millers was full of it. I complained and they said it would not be an issue as they always dress it out

 

[Brisel]

How much ergot?

http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/resources/000/263/345/g59-barley-disease-management-guide-feb-2014-update.pdf

Yes, I know it's a barley disease guide... but I'd still get it cleaned out. Either a gravity separator or, better still, a colour sorter.