Update spore counts are available for the Lower Columbia Basin (OR and WA) and central Oregon. While spore detection declined at the Lower Columbia Basin research site in OR, increased inoculum levels were observed across the river at our Lower Columbia Basin research site in WA and at COAREC in central Oregon:
Author Archives: Jeremiah Dung
Ergot Alert Update, June 22, 2020
Update spore counts are available for the Lower Columbia Basin (OR and WA) and the Grande Ronde Valley. Spore production remained steady at all three research sites:
Ergot Alert for the Lower Columbia Basin (OR), June 18, 2020
Spores were detected on all days during the first week of June, albeit at lower numbers than observed during the latter half of May:
Both honeydew and sclerotia have been observed on Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass plots located at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center:
Protective fungicides should be applied at the onset of anthesis to protect unfertilized flowers from infection, and cultivars with prolonged flowering periods may require more than one application.
Please refer to the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook for more information on fungicide options for ergot (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/grass-seed-ergot), or contact Jeremiah Dung using the “Leave a reply” link above.
Ergot Alert for Central Oregon, June 18, 2020
Updated spore counts are now available for central Oregon. Spore production remained steady through the first week of June:
Honeydew has been observed in some varieties planted at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Some varieties are still flowering and would be susceptible to infection by ascospores and honeydew.
Ergot Alert for the Grande Ronde Valley, June 12, 2020
Steady spore production was steady as May rolled into June, with spores being detected on 6 out of 7 days:
Ergot Alert for the Lower Columbia Basin (WA), June 12, 2020
Spore production was steady during the final week of May, with over twice as many spores captured (1,503 spores/week) compared to the previous four weeks (641 spores total):
Honeydew and sclerotia have been observed in research plots located at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Many Kentucky bluegrass seed fields in the area are mature or nearing maturity. Field scouting for honeydew at this time can help identify infected fields which may present difficulties during swathing, harvesting, and seed cleaning operations.
Ergot Alert for Central Oregon, June 9, 2020
Updated spore counts are available for the Central Oregon region:
Ergot Alert for the Lower Columbia Basin (OR), June 9, 2020
Updated spore counts are available for the Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon:
Protective fungicides should be applied at the onset of anthesis to protect unfertilized flowers from infection, and cultivars with prolonged flowering periods may require more than one application.
Please refer to the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook for more information on fungicide options for ergot (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/grass-seed-ergot), or contact Jeremiah Dung using the “Leave a reply” link above.
Ergot Alert for the Lower Columbia Basin (WA), June 3, 2020
Updated spore counts are available for the Lower Columbia Basin of Washington:
Based on field observations, many cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are flowering in the Lower Columbia Basin.
Protective fungicides should be applied at the onset of anthesis to protect unfertilized flowers from infection, and cultivars with prolonged flowering periods may require more than one application.
Please refer to the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook for more information on fungicide options for ergot (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/grass-seed-ergot), or contact Jeremiah Dung using the “Leave a reply” link above.
Ergot Alert for the Grande Ronde Valley, June 3, 2020
Updated spore counts are available for the Grande Ronde Valley of Oregon: