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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #105179
Title: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT OF DISEASES OF GRASSES GROWN FOR SEED IN OREGON

Author
item Alderman, Stephen
item Pfender, William

Submitted to: Integrated Pest Management Symposium Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/1999
Publication Date: 10/31/2000
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Grass seed for forage and turf in the Pacific Northwest is an important commodity for domestic and export markets. About 80% of U.S. temperate forage and turf grass seed is produced in the Pacific Northwest and most of the production (over 400,000 acres) is in Oregon. The most important diseases affecting grass seed production in Oregon include stem rust, choke, blind seed, ergot, leaf spots, and seed gall. Information on the biology and epidemiology of these diseases was compiled and an integrated approach, including timing of fungicides, disease resistance, and cultural management practices was developed. This approach provides an effective, economically sound, and environmentally responsible disease control program for management of diseases affecting grass seed production.

Technical Abstract: The most important diseases affecting grass seed production in Oregon include rusts, choke, blind seed, ergot, leaf spots, and seed gall. Rust is the most serious disease, costing the industry over 7 million annually in fungicide costs alone. Recent progress in disease prediction and development of disease resistance will provide an effective means of reducing fungicide applications. An understanding of the biology and epidemiology of blind seed disease has led to effective cultural controls to manage the disease in the absence of field burning. Research on these and other diseases indicates that an integrated approach, including timing of fungicides, disease resistance, and simple cultural management practices such as use of disease free seed, planting seeds at least 1/2 inch deep, maintaining adequate fertilization, and harvest practices to reduce seed shatter and minimize seed left in the field can provide effective and economically sound control of a diverse array of pathogens affecting production of grass seed.