In organic farming, where no seed treatment are normally used, the increasing pathogen pressure courses severe problems, especially by reducing the quality of the grain, and in some cases also yield. In order to overcome this problem, experiments has been established to screen different agents for their effect against Tilletia tritici. Experiments has mainly been established under field conditions at recommended sowing time in heavily infected material. Most methods effective against common bunt reduces the seed vigour and therefore also the risk of reduced fielde mergence and yield potential. Seed treatments with these methods are therefor not recommended, if not-infected seed lots are available.
Research continues in the comming years.
Forskningsnytt om ekologisk landbruk iNorden. NORS K. ISSN 1400-8688.