Abstract
Common bunt caused by Tilletia tritici and T. laevis remains an important disease of wheat, particularly in organic production where effective fungicides are not available. Acetic acid (AA), a potential organic seed fumigant, was evaluated for control of common bunt of wheat. The highly susceptible spring wheat cultivar Laura was inoculated with bunt spores and then fumigated with 2 and 4 g kg-1 AA vapour in 23 L chambers for 1 h at 20°C. Fumigation reduced field infection levels of common bunt in trials conducted at Lethbridge, AB during 2000, 2001, and 2003. The 4 g kg-1 rate was more effective than the 2 g kg-1 rate in reducing bunt infection, although both rates were as effective as Vitavax, the standard seed-treatment fungicide treatment. Some reduction in tiller numbers was associated with the AA treatments especially at the 4 g kg-1 rate. In vitro tests on artificial growth media showed that AA significantly decreased seed-borne mold contamination caused by several species of fungi. Acetic acid fumigation could be an important organic alternative to fungicides for control of common bunt. Key words: Covered smut, organic, seed treatment, stinking smut, vinegar
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
