The sclerotia, which are very small and irregular in shape, germinate to form mycelia. Rhizoctonia cerealis is the name given to the asexual state of this fungus, characterized by white to brown mycelium, the presence of sclerotia and the absence of spores. This fungus has been found to have a sexual stage, known as Ceratobasidium, but the Ceratobasidium stage is not important in the disease cycle. While Rhizoctonia cerealis is common in the soil and on host debris as mycelium and sclerotia, the damage due to infection is very dependent on environment. The exact conditions under which the disease is important have not been determined, but observations indicate that protracted wet, cold conditions favor disease development.
Infections are most serious when they are initiated on seedlings.
Seedlings may be killed out right, but most survive through the growing season some of which then die before maturity and produce white heads. Control Because sharp eyespot is of little economic importance, no specific recommendations are made for its control. Management practices which favor good, vigorous growth of the wheat plant generally limit damage due to sharp eyespot. Proper seed bed preparation, good soil drainage, balanced fertility and crop rotation are considered most important. All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.