DISEASES OF SMALL GRAINS - HEAD WEATHERING

A non-disease phenomenon that is often confused with loose smut is something called head weathering. Head weathering occurs after partially mature small grain plants are killed for some reason [many times due to diseases such as take-all (see below)]. Dead seed heads become a ready food source for a variety of saprophytic (non-disease causing) fungi. These fungi produce dark-colored spores that give the heads the appearance that they are colonized by the loose smut fungus. In weathered heads however, fungal growth is on the surface of the kernels, leaving the kernels, for the most part, intact. In loose smut infected heads, kernels completely disintegrate.

Head weathering is most effectively managed by managing the disease or injury that caused the underlying plant death.