Smut Disease Research Articles

Incompatibility between proliferation and plant invasion is mediated by a regulator of appressorium formation in the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis

Plant pathogenic fungi often developed specialized infection structures to breach the outer surface of a host plant. These structures, called appressoria, lead the invasion of the plant by the fungal hyphae. Studies in different phytopathogenic fungi showed that appressorium formation seems to be subordinated to the cell cycle. This subordination ensures the loading in the invading hypha of the correct genetic information to proceed with plant infection. However, how the cell cycle transmits its condition to the genetic program controlling appressorium formation and promoting the plant's invasion is unknown. Our results have uncovered how this process occurs for the appressorium of Ustilago maydis, the agent responsible for corn smut disease. Here, we described that the complex Clb2-cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)1, one of the master regulators of G2/M cell cycle progression in U. maydis, interacts and controls the subcellular localization of Biz1, a transcriptional factor required for the activation of the appressorium formation. Besides, Biz1 can arrest the cell cycle by down-regulation of the gene encoding a second b-cyclin Clb1 also required for the G2/M transition. These results revealed a negative feedback loop between appressorium formation and cell cycle progression in U. maydis, which serves as a "toggle switch" to control the fungal decision between infecting the plant or proliferating out of the plant.

Facile Preparation of Wormlike Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Photocatalytic Degradation of Ustiloxin A.

Natural toxic contaminants have been recognized as threats to human health. Ustiloxins are the toxic secondary metabolites of fungus generated from rice false smut disease, which are harmful to animal/human reproduction and growth. However, there are rare researches on the control and reduction of ustiloxins through physical, chemical and biological ways. Herein, we demonstrated that photocatalysis of semiconductor nanomaterials could be as a potential way to degrade or mitigate the contamination of ustiloxin A. A kind of wormlike graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was facilely prepared from modified dicyandiamide precursor via pyrolysis method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy etc. It was found that g-C3N4 from modified dicyandiamide precursor showed better activity for ustiloxin A degradation under visible light irradiation than that of pristine g-C3N4. This was ascribed to the lager specific surface area, more uniform microstructure, better photogenerated charges separation and transformation of wormlike g-C3N4 compared with pristine g-C3N4. Most important, the structure of degradation intermediates and the possible pathway were proposed based on the results of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after 80 min photoreaction treatment. Our findings may provide a green, efficient way for ustiloxins mitigation and useful information for future study.

Maize Head Smut: Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, and Management Options

Maize (Zea mays) head smut caused by Sphacelotheca reiliana, a basidiomycete with worldwide distribution, can cause devastating crop losses that pose a food security threat. While Kenya has experienced high incidences of the disease in the recent years, the seed certification regulation has a zero tolerance on S. reiliana. The spores of S. reiliana remain viable in soil for many years and serve as the main inoculum source as they germinate when the conditions are favourable and infect the host in the early stages of growth after germination. After penetration, the fungus grows systemically as the plant matures eventually transforming part or all of the inflorescence (ears and tassels) tissues into smut galls. The symptoms develop because the inflorescences have increased levels of reactive oxygen species, auxin, and misregulation of floral regulatory transcription factors. The most practical control strategy for maize head smut encompasses the use of resistant/tolerant cultivars, fungicide treatment (of seed or drenching of rows immediately after seeding), and field hygiene/ sanitation. Crop rotation may help when host crops are not planted for between 2-3 years or even more. Resistance genes, including ZmWAK, found in the major quantitative trait locus qHSR1/qHS2.09 regulate resistance of maize to head smut. The objective of this review paper is to provide an understanding of the head smut disease pathogenesis, epidemiology, and effective management options. Key words: Sphacelotheca reiliana, basidiomycete, seed certification, smut galls, resistance gene

Putative Phosphatase UvPsr1 Is Required for Mycelial Growth, Conidiation, Stress Response and Pathogenicity in Ustilaginonidea virens

Ustilaginoidea virens is the causal agent of rice false smut, which can be a highly destructive disease of rice. The plasma membrane phosphatase Psr1 proteins, which act as a regulator of the salinity stress response in yeast, are widely distributed across fungi, but their functional characterization is sketchy. In this study, we characterized the functions of Psr1 protein, UvPsr1, in U. virens. Analyses of the ΔUvpsr1 and its complementation strain showed that UvPsr1 is required for normal mycelial growth, conidiation and tolerance to oxidative, osmotic and cell wall stresses. When rice panicles were inoculated with the ΔUvpsr1 strains, no symptoms of false smut disease developed, showing that UvPSR1 also contributes to the pathogenicity of the fungus. The deletion mutant of UvPSR1 also appeared to produce a smaller titer of toxic compounds able to inhibit elongation of the germinated seeds. In conclusion, our results indicated that UvPsr1 is a new pathogenic factor of U. virens.

Differential responses of genes and enzymes associated with ROS protective responses in the sugarcane smut fungus

The fungal pathogen Sporisorium scitamineum causes sugarcane smut disease. We have previously shown that resistant sugarcane plants induce ROS, coinciding with a delay in fungal colonization. Here, we investigated whether the fungus modifies the enzymatic antioxidant system in vitro and when colonizing sugarcane tissues in response to ROS. In vitro, the exposure to ROS did not affect cell integrity, and a combination of superoxide dismutases (SOD) and catalases (CAT) were active. In vitro, the fungus did not alter the expression of the transcriptional regulator Yap1 and the effector Pep1. The fungus activated distinct enzymes when colonizing plant tissues. Instead of CAT, S. scitamineum induced glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) expression only when colonizing smut-resistant plants. Yap1 had an earlier expression in both smut-susceptible and -resistant plants, with no apparent correlation with the expression of antioxidant genes sod, cat, gpx, or external redox imbalance. The expression of the effector pep1 was induced only in smut-resistant plants, potentially in response to ROS. These results collectively suggest that S. scitamineum copes with oxidative stress by inducing different mechanisms depending on the conditions (in vitro/in planta) and intensity of ROS. Moreover, the effector Pep1 is responsive to the stress imposed only by the sugarcane resistant genotype.

UhAVR1, an HR-Triggering Avirulence Effector of Ustilago hordei, Is Secreted via the ER-Golgi Pathway, Localizes to the Cytosol of Barley Cells during in Planta-Expression, and Contributes to Virulence Early in Infection.

The basidiomycete Ustilago hordei causes covered smut disease of barley and oats. Virulence effectors promoting infection and supporting pathogen lifestyle have been described for this fungus. Genetically, six avirulence genes are known and one codes for UhAVR1, the only proven avirulence effector identified in smuts to date that triggers complete immunity in barley cultivars carrying resistance gene Ruh1. A prerequisite for resistance breeding is understanding the host targets and molecular function of UhAVR1. Analysis of this effector upon natural infection of barley coleoptiles using teliospores showed that UhAVR1 is expressed during the early stages of fungal infection where it leads to HR triggering in resistant cultivars or performs its virulence function in susceptible cultivars. Fungal secretion of UhAVR1 is directed by its signal peptide and occurs via the BrefeldinA-sensitive ER–Golgi pathway in cell culture away from its host. Transient in planta expression of UhAVR1 in barley and a nonhost, Nicotiana benthamiana, supports a cytosolic localization. Delivery of UhAVR1 via foxtail mosaic virus or Pseudomonas species in both barley and N. benthamiana reveals a role in suppressing components common to both plant systems of Effector- and Pattern-Triggered Immunity, including necrosis triggered by Agrobacterium-delivered cell death inducers.

Genetic parameters and principal components analysis biplot for agronomical, insect and pathological traits in some sugarcane genotypes

The present investigation was conducted at El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station, Luxor Governorate, Egypt during two successive seasons 2018/2019 (plant cane) and 2019/2020 (first ratoon) to screening of eighteen sugarcane genotypes s for the lesser sugarcane borer, smut, streak and mosaic diseases resistance under natural infection and elimination of sensitive genotypes from sugarcane breeding program and to evaluate the performance of some sugarcane genotypes based on principal components analysis biplot and genetic components; heritability and genetic advance for the studied traits. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results show all studied traits varied significantly among evaluated different genotypes in the plant cane and first ratoon. Cane yield of five and two genotypes in plant cane and first ratoon, respectively, gave significantly the highest mean values of cane yield as compare with check variety. Bored stalks% and bored joints % varied significantly among evaluated genotypes. It found high positive correlation between bored stalks% and bored joints and brix% in the positive direction. Plant height and stalk diameter were positively correlated with cane yield, not only smut, mosaic and streak diseases but also bored stalks and bored joints were negatively correlated with cane and sugar yield and negatively correlated sucrose%, purity% and recovery%. The differences between the estimates of GCV and PCV was comparatively narrow for all the characters (except stalk diameter and Mosaic disease) suggesting the possibility of affective selection of these traits and indicating high prospects for genetic progress through selection under the conditions of this investigation.

Diversity in metagenomic sequences reveals new pathogenic fungus associated with smut in Job's tears

Smut is a serious disease in Job's tears, also known as adlay, and contributes to the reduction of crop yield in agricultural fields. In this study, the key pathogenic fungi in adlay smut disease were first identified by internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) high-throughput sequencing and then used to elucidate the composition and diversity of the fungal community in adlay smut. Results indicate that an abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected in the infected involucres of flowering plants and the OTUs were classified to nine phyla, 20 classes, 45 orders, 90 families and 119 genera. A total of 4 986 OTUs clustered together, sharing six core OTUs in all samples, while 145 OTUs were shared among four geographical groups. The Shannon and Simpson indices ranged from 0.137–1.629 and 0.357–0.970, respectively. Community diversity ranked as Anshun (AS)>Qinglong (QL)>Xingren (XR)>Xingyi (XY) among the four geographical groups by Shannon and Simpson indices, exhibiting complex community diversities among accessions and geographical groups. The richness and diversity data imply a weak relationship between the accession community richness and geographical origins of samples. Two closely related fungal genera, Sporisorium and Ustilago, were implicated as causes of smut disease. The genus Sporisorium appears to be more commonly found among accessions and thus is more likely to be the fungal pathogen causing smut in adlay. This work can facilitate strategies to control and prevent smut infection to improve adlay yield.

Comparative genomics of rice false smut fungi Ustilaginoidea virens Uv-Gvt strain from India reveals genetic diversity and phylogenetic divergence.

False smut disease of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, is an emerging threat to rice cultivation worldwide due to its detrimental effects on grain yield and quality. False smut disease severity was 4.44‒17.22% during a roving survey in Kharif 2016 in the four different rice ecosystems of Karnataka, India. Further, 15 pathogen isolates representing four different ecosystems were studied for their virulence and morphometric diversity. Among the 15 strains studied, most virulent strains Uv-Gvt was selected for whole genome sequencing in Illumina NextSeq 500 platform using 2 × 150bp sequencing chemistry. The total assembled genome of Uv-Gvt was 26.96Mb, which comprised of 9157 scaffolds with an N50 value of 15,934bp and 6628 protein-coding genes. Next, the comparative genomic study revealed a similar gene inventory as UV-8b and MAFF 236576 strains reported from China and Japan, respectively. But, 1756 genes were unique to Uv-Gvt strain. The Uv-Gvt genome harbors 422 putative host-pathogen interacting genes compared to 359 and 520 genes in UV-8b and MAFF 236576 strains, respectively. The variant analysis revealed low genetic diversity (0.073‒0.088%) among U. virens strains. Further, phylogenetic analysis using 250 single copy orthologs genes of U. virens revealed a distinct phylogeny and an approximate divergence time. Our study, report the genomic resource of rice false smut pathogen from India, where the disease originated, and this information will have broader applicability in understanding the pathogen population diversity.

Control of Sugarcane Smut Disease: Evaluation of the In vitro Fungitoxicity of Three Essential Oils

The sugarcane smut disease caused by Sporisorium scitamineum occurs in all production areas. In order to contribute to the management of this disease, a study was carried out in vitro conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal efficacy and to determine the inhibitory concentration of the essentials oils of Ocimum gratissimum, Zingiber officinale and Cymbopogon citratus upon two strains B and Z of Sporisorium scitamineum. These oils were tested on mycelial growth of colonies, spores’ production and teliospores germination. The results showed a variable fungitoxic effect of the oils according to doses. Mycelial growth and spores production were totally inhibited (100%) from 1000 ppm by all the oils. The 90% inhibitory concentrations (IC90) obtained were 880.37 ppm, 847.83 ppm and 805.75 ppm for Ocimum gratissimum, Zingiber officinale and Cymbopogon citratus, respectively. The germination of teliospores was completely reduced by the three essential oils from 500 ppm upwards. Propiconazole had strong inhibitory effects at 400 ppm with a very low IC50 and the IC90 ranged from 305 ppm to 323.36 ppm. Moreover, at the level of the strains, no difference in resistance was observed These oils could provide a good means of controlling sugarcane smut.

Field evaluation of fungicides for the management of whip smut in sugarcane caused by Sporisorium scitamineum

Smut, incited by Sporisorium scitamineum, is one of the major diseases of sugarcane causing economic yield losses to sugarcane growers as well as sugar industry. A field trial was conducted for three consecutive seasons from 2017-18 to 2019-20 at RARS, Anakapalli to test the efficacy of seven fungicides against whip smut of sugarcane. In plant crop, three budded setts of the smut susceptible cultivar, CoA 92081, were artificially inoculated with smut spore suspension for 30 minutes followed by dipping in fungicidal solution for 15 minutes prior to planting. In ratoon crop, the fungicidal treatments were imposed by spraying of fungicides immediately after ratooning followed by second spray at 30 days after ratooning. Smut incidence was recorded at fortnightly interval from first smut whip emergence till harvest. The experimental results revealed that sett treatment with azoxystrobin + tebuconazole @0.1% has recorded significantly lower incidence of smut in plant crop compared to other treatments but was on par with trifloxystrobin+tebuconazole@0.1% and propiconazole@0.1% treatments. In ratoon crop, spraying with tebuconazole @0.1% or trifloxystrobin+tebuconaole @0.1% was found effective against whip smut disease with less disease incidence and higher cane yield compared to other treatments. Overall results of plant and ratoon crop indicated that sett treatment with azoxystrobin+tebuconazole at the time of planting and spraying of tebuconazole twice, i.e., first spray at ratoon initiation and second spray at 30 days after ratooning was proved effective in the management of whip smut in sugarcane.

Investigation of molecular and elemental changes in rice grains infected by false smut disease using FTIR, LIBS and WDXRF spectroscopic techniques

The primary aim of this work was to study the diseased and healthy rice plant samples at the elemental and molecular level to get the proper understanding of the causes and the chemical changes occurred in the healthy rice grains with the infestation due to false smut disease. We have used microscopic and isolation methods to detect and identify the presence of the species of pathogen involved in the diseased rice plant samples. Elemental analyses of rice grains were carried out using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry. This revealed the mineral changes appeared in diseased rice plant samples due to the invasion of pathogens. The results from LIBS and WDXRF showed that the mineral elements such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) decreased in diseased rice grains than those of healthy rice grains whereas some elements showed their variable behavior in diseased rice grains than those of healthy grains. The results obtained by LIBS is in close agreement with the results obtained by WDXRF. We have employed Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to study the molecular changes appeared in the active bio compounds of the rice grains due to the infection caused by false smut. The present spectroscopic studies would provide the proper understanding of the rice false smut disease and also help in developing the proper treatment strategies to prevent the further yield loss caused by the rice false smut disease.

Field evaluation of fungicides against false smut disease of rice

False smut disease of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is an emerging biotic stress of rice. A field experiment to evaluate bioefficacy of solo and combination fungicides against false smut disease of rice was conducted in two consecutive Kharif seasons (2017 and 2018). Experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eleven fungicide treatments of three replications each. Disease was measured and expressed in percent disease severity following previously described method. The data obtained in 2017 and 2018 was analyzed after pooling. Among different fungicides tested, trifloxystrobin (25%) + tebuconozole (50%) 75 WG at 0.4 g/ litre was found highly effective in controlling the false smut disease with least per cent disease severity (35.87) followed by azoxystrobin (18.2%) + difenconozole (11.4%) SC at 1ml/litre (39.90). The fungicide identified can be used for effective management of false smut disease under field condition.

Invention mechanisms and management source of false smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens- A Review

False smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke), perfect sexual stage Villosiclava virens. Rice False Smut (RFS) early know as a minor disease but this time it is very severe in the majority of rice-growing areas around the world, as epidemics form. The disease incidence ranged from 5- 85% and major grain yield loss of 0.2% to 49% respectively in terms reduction in quality as well as quantity threatens food safety due to its production of mycotoxin. After flowering, its symptoms are appeared when the fungus transforms into globose structures or yellowed carbonaceous masses of individual grains unfit for consumption. The infection cycle and invasion mechanism, including the primary and secondary source of RFS infection involved different factors affecting for invention mechanisms of disease occurrence, including the infection time and pathway. Due to knowledge of epidemiology and invention mechanisms, resistance source, disease aggravates, proper management strategies needed to be framed to control the false smut disease. Improvement in completing the management source of false smut needs more emphasis. This review summarizes the present status of RFS, biochemical mechanism invention, resistant source of cultivars, and management of false smut in rice.

Evaluation of barley genotypes for resistance against covered smut disease

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the important cereal crops with a share of 7 per cent of the global cereals production. It ranks fourth after the major cereals wheat, rice, maize and has a special significance in Indian agriculture. Covered smut caused by (Ustilago hordei) (Pers.) Lagerheim is one of the biotic stresses limiting its production and productivity. It can cause quantitative and qualitative losses to the barley crop. Out of the total 83 genotypes screened for two consecutive years, 5 cultivars (HBL 113, HBL 391, HBL 316, DWRUB 92 and DWRUB 123) and 41 germplasm lines were highly resistant whereas two germplasm lines (BL 1656 and BL 1562) exhibited resistant reaction against Ustilago hordei. Rest of the genotypes were moderately susceptible to susceptible.

The functionally conserved effector Sta1 is a fungal cell wall protein required for virulence in Ustilago maydis.

The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis causes the smut disease of maize. The interaction with its host and induction of characteristic tumors are governed largely by secreted effectors whose function is mostly unknown. To identify effectors with a prominent role in virulence, we used RNA sequencing and found that the gene sta1 is upregulated during early stages of infection. We characterized Sta1 by comparative genomics, reverse genetics, protein localization, stress assays, and microscopy. sta1 mutants show a dramatic reduction of virulence and show altered colonization of tissue neighboring the vascular bundles. Functional orthologues of Sta1 are found in related smut pathogens infecting monocot and dicot plants. Sta1 is secreted by budding cells but is attached to the cell wall of filamentous hyphae. Upon constitutive expression of Sta1, fungal filaments become susceptible to Congo red, β-glucanase, and chitinase, suggesting that Sta1 alters the structure of the fungal cell wall. Constitutive or delayed expression of sta1 during plant colonization negatively impacts on virulence. Our results suggest that Sta1 is a novel kind of effector, which needs to modify the hyphal cell wall to allow hyphae to be accommodated in tissue next to the vascular bundles.

Rapid methods for screening sugarcane clones resistance against smut disease (Sporisorium scitamineum Syd.)

The Indonesian government has a program to increase sugarcane productivity for domestic and export purposes. One constraint to sugarcane production is smut disease caused by Sporisorium scitamineum Syd. New resistant clones should be released since this disease already spreads to sugarcane varieties that are widely grown by farmers. Sugarcane clones are actually available, unfortunately the standard procedures for screening of clones resistance requires up to 5 mo. This experiment was conducted to develop a rapid screening method for smut resistance. The method was based on injecting 2 mL of S. scitamineum spores (106 spores/mL) on 4-mo-old plants. Injection was carried out on stem, 15 cm from the ground to avoid contamination; a maximum humidity of 72 hr in the inoculation area was maintained by sterile water droplets. Incidence of dried leaves and occurrence of smut spores at the leaves was observed as indication of plant responses to smut infection. With this method, plant responses can be obtained in less than 3 mo. This rapid screening method can be used as an alternative to shorten the testing period of sugarcane resistance to sugarcane smut.

Aerobiology, epidemiology and disease forecasting of false smut disease of rice in West Bengal, India

In India, since 2001, false smut disease of rice has been observed in severe form among major rice growing states. This disease is difficult to tackle, because pathogens infect the plant during flowering stage, and the symptoms are only visible after emergence of the panicle. Thus, disease forecasting is necessary to predict the chance of disease in a certain set of conditions. We analysed 3 years of aerobiological data including pathogenic spore (Ustilaginoidea virens) concentration over the rice canopy in West Bengal, India. The crop growth stages in both rabi (winter or dry) and kharif (rainy) seasons during which rapid development of false smut disease takes place were also recorded. Multiple regression analysis of per cent disease index values was done using age of the plant, pathogen concentration and meteorological factors. In dry season, the false smut disease severity depends on age of the plant as well as pathogenic spore concentration, while in rainy season, the severity depends upon spore concentration, RH and minT. From all the analysed data, it can be predicted that spore concentration is the common factor for false smut disease incidence and severity in rice. If pathogen concentration is increased by one unit, there will be 0.981 unit increased in the expected value of disease severity. With odds ratio value, it can be assumed that with a change in spore concentration by 1 unit, the odds of “Severe” versus “High” or “Moderate” or “Low” or “Absent” combined will be 1.1031 times greater, when other variables held constant. The regression model made from the present study would be beneficial to the farmers for early prediction of false smut disease of rice by estimating the spore concentration over rice canopy in West Bengal, India.

Differential gene expression in foxtail millet during interaction with the smut fungus Ustilago crameri

Foxtail millet smut disease, which is caused by the basidiomycetous fungus Ustilago crameri, has become a severe detriment to millet production. However, little is known about the molecular responses of foxtail millet to infection with U. crameri. In this article, we performed RNA-Seq to investigate transcriptional modulation in the resistant cultivar Jigu20 and the susceptible cultivar Changnong35. In total, 1712 and 1166 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in Jigu20 and Changnong35, respectively. Our results showed that the pathogenesis-related (PR) genes SiBGL and SiCHI responded positively to inoculation with U. crameri in both Jigu20 and Changnong35. The resistance (R) gene SiRPM1 and its downstream signaling molecules SiSGT1 and SiHSP were also dramatically upregulated upon smut infection in Jigu20. Moreover, we revealed that SiCDPK-SiRbohF-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production might positively contribute to foxtail millet defense against U. crameri. Furthermore, we found that the phenylpropanoid pathway was activated upon smut infection. Taken together, our results suggested that SiBGL, SiCHI, SiRPM1, SiSGT1, SiHSP, SiCDPK, SiRbohF and SiPAL could act as potential candidates in foxtail millet to achieve resistance against smut.

Ефективність обробки насіння при вирощуванні вівса посівного в умовах Лісостепу України

The epiphytotic development of the most dangerous diseases causes significant crop losses among grain crops, particularly oats. These diseases include root and crown rot, smut diseases, and crown rust. The grain shortage caused by these diseases can reach 15–40 %. Modern oats protection from diseases is considered to be an important condition for obtaining a high quality harvest. The pre-sowing treatment of seeds with fungicides is an integral part of intensive grain growing technologies. Our research was aimed at studying the effectiveness of pre-sowing seeds treatment with fungicides in combination with micro fertilizers, and their action on the disease resistance and oats productivity. The production experiment investigated into the impact of fungicides in combination with micro fertilizers on sowing qualities, seed damage, disease resistance and yield of oats. The complex treatment of oats seeds with Vincyt 050CS (6 l/t) and Oracul (solution, 1.0 l/t) as well as Fundazol (wettable powder, 2.4 l/t) and Oracul (solution, 1.0 l/t) led to the increase in germination energy by 4.2 % and 5 % and laboratory germination by 3 % and 4.2 % respectively. The pathogen damage decreased by 23–24 % (Alternaria spp. species), 9–11 % (Fusarium spp. species), and 4 % (Bipolaris soroziniana) compared to the control variant. The separate oats treatment with fungicides Vincyt 050CS (2.0 l/t) and Fundazol (wettable powder, 3.0 l/t) as well as in combination with the micro fertilizer Oracul (solution, 1.0 l/t) proved to be an effective means in controlling common root rot and crown rust of the grain crop. During the milk-wax stage of ripeness the technical efficiency of all examined preparations against crown rust was in the range of 13.9–37.5 % (disease spread) and 21.9–48.9 % (disease development). The combined application of seed treatment with fungicides together with the micro fertilizer promoted to an increase in oats yield by 1.0 and 0.78 t/ha compared to the untreated variant.