This disease causes dark brown or purple lesions on heads. Lesions are often more intense at the top of the glume, with brown streaks or blotches extending down toward the base of the spikelet. The presence of tiny fungal reproductive structures embedded in the tissue can confirm the diagnosis but will require significant magnification. The disease may spread to the head from leaf infections initiated earlier in the growing season.

Management: Genetic resistance, foliar fungicides, crop rotation, fungicide seed treatment.

  • Link to Fungicide Efficacy Table – pdf