Ergot
Claviceps purpurea
Overview
A fungal disease of cereals and grasses that replaces grain kernels with dark, hard sclerotia containing toxic alkaloids. Historically caused ergotism (St. Anthony's Fire) in humans consuming contaminated grain.
Symptoms
Dark purple-black, elongated sclerotia (ergot bodies) replacing individual grain kernels. Honeydew (sticky, sweet exudate) on flower heads during infection. Sclerotia are larger than normal kernels and protrude from the head.
Environmental Conditions
Cool
Prevention
Plant certified clean seed. Rotate crops. Mow field margins to reduce grass hosts. Deep plow to bury sclerotia. Plant varieties with short, uniform flowering periods.
Management
Clean seed to remove sclerotia. Deep plowing to bury sclerotia below germination depth. Crop rotation. Mow grass borders before flowering. Fungicide application during flowering in severe cases.