Post on 27-May-2020
transcript
FACTSHEETS FOR FARMERS
www.plantwise.orgCreated in Afghanistan, 2013
Wheat Karnal BuntRecognize the problemWheat karnal bunt is a fungal disease that destroys the wheat grain and decreases wheat production. If the disease is severe, the grain will emit an unpleasant fishy smell.
BackgroundThis disease is not usually identified before harvest, but is diagnosed after the grain is threshed and infected kernels are exposed.There will be some black powder inside the wheat but the outer layer of the seed will appear fine. The outer layer of infected seeds will develop cracks and if you press the cracked seed, it will release a fishy smell. The cause of this disease is a fungus which can be carried to the wheat field by wind.
Management• Remove and destroy weeds from the field• Cultivate improved seeds like wheat Gul 96, Pamir 94, etc.• Use only the healthy seeds• Crop rotation with other crops like beans or pulses• Plough the field deep to 30cm and flood it in the winter season• Avoid carrying the disease from one place to another• Seed treatment with fungicides like vitavax, 2 gram in 1Kg seed
Scientific name(s) > Tilletia indica
The recommendations in this factsheet are relevant to: Afghanistan
Authors: Zakai StanikzaiMinistry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock Agriculture Research Directoratetel: + 93 706995575
Edited by Plantwise
Plantwise is a global initiative led by CABI
AF012En
Lose Less, Feed More
Two ears of wheat smutted. (Photo by Ruben Durán, Washington State University, Bugwood.org)
Karnal bunt on wheat kernels. (Photo by CIMMYT (CC BY-NC-SA))
When using a pesticide, always wear protective clothing and follow the instructions on the product label, such as dosage, timing of application, and pre-harvest interval.