Common bunt (Stinking smut)

Caused by: Tilletia tritici
Problem Category: Fungal Disease
Symptoms: Slender heads which take longer to turn color than healthy heads; glumes spread apart to reveal spori or "bunt balls" (balls containing fungal spores) which are a similar size to normal kernel but are gray-brown in color; bunt balls break open on harvest and give off a fishy odor
Comments: Disease is most commonly introduced through infected seed although spores are spread by wind
Management: Disease can be controlled by planting resistant wheat varieties, planting disease-free seed and using a seed treatment prior to planting; disease may also be avoided by planting wheat early in the Fall and by shallow seeding
Control: