Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1913-08-22
Insect Work II.
Explained by
... A. C.. Expert
PROF. BoLLEY DISCUSSES PEcU.
F LIAR CONDITION OF WHEAT
. CROP IN CERTAIN DIS y
TRICTS.


ent season, there has been a very
large amount of interest taken in a
peculiar condition of the wheat crop
in certain districts of the state, where
by it is noticed that the wheat breaks
over, or bends over, and then tries to
recover by ian erect growth. The
breaking over or bending over, usual
ly occurs, or is most specifically not
ed just above the second joint from
the ground. The breaking off very
commonly looks as though a larval in
sect had eaten its way out from the
interior, and is always accompanied
by a characteristic brown discolora-
ton. Thus many people and some
expert cereal Investigators have
thought that the trouble was due to
insect work, such, for example, as the
Hessian fly. This is not what is the
matter l will call attention to the
fact that most of the injury occurs in
lands where wheat has been common
| ly produced in a rather continuous
or consecutive manner, though scat
tering spots of the disease may be
| found in new lands. The reason the
spots are scattering on the new: lands
| is that this sort of disease is introduc-
ed by the way of seed. The wheat
/ grains are internally infected in ex-
actly the same manner as fax grains
are internally infected by the canker-
fungus Weather conditions is a great
factor in the development of the dis
ease. This season there was, in many
portions of the state very slow growth
conditions throughout the entire
spring. The wheat accumulated very
strong root, even on old wheat~sick
lands. When the late rains came
along, about July 1, the wheat shot up
very rapidly. The straw was weakest
and most succulent at the Joint or
node where the break over or crinkl-
ing takes place. The disease Is most
pronounced in old wheat lands end on
disced wheat stubble lands, because
such fields are often full OF the can
ker. Of crinkled joint. Many Of the
old stubbles plowed under last year
Immediately transmit the disease to
the roots of the new crop. When the
stems do not canker off, or break of,
they are often just weak. enough to
bend over, causing a crinkled condi-
ton of the straws, without any break
ing off. S}eds, however, on such
plants are almost uniformly shrivel-
led, and very often produce black
pointed or brown colored seeds, con
tanning the same fungi or parasites, as
| is found in the brown discoloration
at the crinkled joint. We have learn
ed how to prevent this disease. We
can introduce it through the ground,
when and where we wish it. We can
not always make the stems break
over. This depends on weather CON
ditions are right or not, but we can
always produce the @characte ristic le-
sion or brown colored spots. Upon
examination, thoss who are interested
will find this crinkled over joint often
takes place lower down, but not in
such a pronounced manner. Indeed
we have learned that the same disease
causes much grain to fall down be.
cause OF weakness at the first joint at
the ground line. In a uniform grow.
ling season there will not be much
erin kIing over Of the straw that Is,
HE the soil moisture is rather uniform
Throughout the season. and fhere are
Braiher uniform weather conditions the
bcrfnkled joint does not occur.
~ Farmers who have much Of this dis
lease ID their crop should be careful
to- save their seed under condi tions
Isuch that the bundl les and shocks will
not become damp or naou1dy before
the in is I! threshed else much Of
their seed Wial be infected iii the same
manner even though soWed upon
clean land.
order To escape wheat canker or
Ecrtnkled Il be necessary ffcrs
the farmers to practice careful seed