Ergot

Symptoms by part

Causes

• Cool and wet weather during the flowering stage of the grass or cereal crop.
• Delayed pollination which leaves the flower open and vulnerable to fungal spores for a longer period.
• Presence of infected wild grasses nearby that act as a reservoir for spores.

Could be confused with

• Smut · Smut produces masses of fine, powdery black spores that easily rub off, whereas ergot sclerotia are hard, solid, and do not rub off.

Treatment

1. Harvest the affected crop early to prevent the sclerotia from falling to the ground.
2. Clean the harvested grain thoroughly using gravity tables or air screens to remove the heavier, distinctively shaped ergot bodies.
3. Mow or burn wild grasses along field edges before they reach the flowering stage to reduce local spore counts.

Without chemicals

• Rotate crops with non susceptible species like legumes or broadleaf plants to break the life cycle.
• Use deep plowing to bury sclerotia at least 5 centimeters deep, which prevents them from germinating and releasing spores.
• Select certified, clean seed lots that are free from ergot sclerotia for planting.

Preventing it

• Plant high quality, certified seeds to ensure no sclerotia are introduced into the soil.
• Maintain uniform crop growth to ensure a short and synchronized flowering window.
• Control weeds and wild grasses in and around the planting area to eliminate alternative hosts.

When to act

Act immediately upon seeing the sticky honeydew stage to manage the spread, or during harvest to ensure the grain is safe. If you suspect your grain is contaminated, do not use it for feed or food.

Questions people ask

Can I eat grain that has ergot in it?

No, you should never eat or feed grain contaminated with ergot because the alkaloids are toxic and can cause serious health issues.

Does ergot kill the plant?

Ergot does not typically kill the plant, but it significantly reduces the yield and quality of the grain harvest.