Diseases
Bromus catharticus Vahl
A systemic disease of Bromus catharticus caused by the fungus Ustilago bullata, which affects floral organs and leads to panicle sterility.
In the reference 3 varieties crop Rescue grass, where this is mentioned in the description.
The causal agent of head smut in Bromus catharticus is the systemic pathogen Ustilago bullata. The fungus infects the plant at the seedling stage via the coleoptile, after which the infection persists within the organism throughout the plant's life.
The primary symptom of the disease is the replacement of developing ovules with a mass of teliospores, resulting in sterile panicles. Infection leads not only to a complete loss of seed productivity but also to a reduction in vegetative growth and overall crop vigor.
The pathogen is characterized by a high degree of specialization, forming races adapted to specific host species and varieties. Although specific resistance genes for this crop have not been identified, breeding is focused on evaluating cultivar susceptibility and developing multiline lines to control the spread of the disease.
General information about the subject — on the page Smut.
Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.