In Missouri the disease seldom affects seedlings but more commonly attacks wheat plants at the tillering stage. Yield losses to this disease in Missouri vary yearly depending on environmental conditions. Light to moderate damage may often go undetected. If soil and weather conditions favor the disease, severe root and crown rot develop, and yields may drop more than 50 percent. Take-all is caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis.
Most plants withstand mild root infections and appear symptomless.
Severely infected plants are stunted and ripen prematurely. Diseased plants are easily pulled up or break off near the soil line because of root rot. Patches of stunted wheat are a symptom of severe Take-all infection. Plants affected by Take-all develop white heads and die prematurely. Plants affected by Take-all have darkened stem bases and black, brittle roots.