Fungal Diseases Affecting Grain and Seed Quality in Wheat

Diseases affecting wheat grain reduce yield and/or quality. These diseases include black point, ergot, common bunt, loose smut, and scab (Fusarium head blight). The fungi causing ergot and scab also produce toxins, which pose a health risk to humans and animals. Yield losses caused by smuts are roughly equal to the percentage of smutted heads in the field; however, losses from black point, scab, or ergot are less easily measured. Grain affected by black point, ergot, common bunt or scab can be discounted or rejected at the elevator depending on the level of damage or contamination.