Cause Numerous species of fungi, including Alternaria, Fusarium, and Helminthosporium spp. They infect kernels during seed maturation, especially green kernels, and are favored by high relative humidity or rainfall. Some fungi can be pathogenic on seedlings that develop from infested seed.
Symptoms Affected areas are light brown to black in coloration and kernels may be shriveled.
Chemical control Seed treatments can improve germination and seedling health if more pathogenic species incite black point (See seed treatments listed under Barley-Seed Decay and Damping-off).
Fungicide application to protect seed heads during maturation are usually not economical.
- Miravis Ace (Group 3 + 7) at 13.7 fl oz/A. Apply between Feekes 10.3 and 10.5.4. Harvest interval is 7 days for forage and hay. 12-hr reentry.
- Trivapro (Group 3 + 7 + 11) at 9.4 to 13.7 fl oz/A. Apply from Feekes 8 through Feekes 10. Do not make more than two (2) applications per season. Do not apply within 7 days of harvest for forage or hay. 12-hr reentry.