Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-13
TWO MORE new
wheat DISEASES
Have They Reached
Our State With the
Imported Seed? The
Facts. As Learned

Orono, Me-, June 1.-The follow
ing was issued today from the office
Of Charles D. Woods, director of the
Maine Agricultural Experiment sta
ton at the University of Maine:
Information mas come to the Maine
Agricultural Experiment Station that
two serious diseases Of wheat, new to
America, have been discovered re-
Gently in Madison County. III. These
are known as the Australian take
all" or 'foot-rot" and the flag
smut" 1t is not known whether
these diseases are present elsewhere
in the country. but undoubtedly they
have a much wider distribution than
Is now indicated. Much seed wheat
from divers sources has been import
ed into Maine during the past two or
three years. 1t is hoped that neither
Of these diseases have come with this
imported seed, but there is posi-
bility of it. Anyone who finds in his
wheat field diseased or abnormal
plants that in any way resemble
those described below should either
send specimens directly to the Sta
ton for examination. or bring the
matter to the attention Of the County
Agricultural Agent Of the College Of
Agriculture. The disea-e was first
reported from Illinois by the County
Agent.
According to descriptions sent out
and to specimens that have been re-
ceived at this station, plants suffer-
ing from the take ALL disease are
much dwarfed and show BLUSH
green color in striking contrast to the
normal green Of healthy wheat. Bad.
ly diseased plants remain in the 70.
settle stage while surrounding,
healthy plants are knee high. In
badly infested fields many Of the
dwarfed plants are dried up and
brown, leaving patches entirely bare.
Some Of the dwarfed plants show
rather wide rosette leaves. Others,
less severely attacked. may show at
tempts at recovery by throwing up
narrow, more or less grass-like
leaves. The disease may occur in
distinct patches of varying size, or it
may be general over the entire field.
The "fag-smut" Of wheat likewise
occurs in Australia where it is often
responsible for losses Of from to 10
per cent of the crop, or more. 1t is
also reported from India and Japan.
This is a leaf smut which becomes
evident soon after plant begins to
produce stalks. The upper leaves are
more or less twisted and dark lines
appear, extending lengthwise upon
them. These dark lines are caused
BY spore masses beneath the leaf
surface and later open and allow the
spores to escape. The smutted plants
are frequently stunted and seldom
form heads. If so these heads rarely
produce seed.
Flag smut of wheat is carried by
the seed, and infection, as in the case
of certain other smuts OF grains,
takes place in the young seeding
stage. The spores retain their vi
tally for several years and infesta-
ton may come from soil infestatlon
as we'll as from spores that are car
ried with seed wheat.
Everyone who is interested in the
welfare of agriculture in Maine
should be on the watch constantly for
these and other dangerous diseases
of cultivated plants. for it is only
through the united effort of all con-
cerned that they can be prevented
from gaining foothold within the
State. If abnormal plants are found
they should be sent TO someone VINO
has made a special study of plant
diseases. The station will gladly
have it's Psychologists examine such
specimens and will report its findings
to the sender without charge. The
Federal Government maintains
Plant Disease Survey, and this seems
to be the logical organization to lead
in such work Of National importance,
but the funds provided for it in the
agricultural appropriations are mad
eouate to carry on the work properly.
The Maine station maintains CO.
lucrative relationship with the plant
disease survey and by it is kept con-
stantly Informed as to findings IN
other parts of the country.