The week of cloudy, wet weather has promoted conditions in our wheat fields that is ideal for the growth of Black Head Molds or Sooty Head Molds. Yesterday, I and Dr. Ron Duncan, Small Grains Specialist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service were examining wheat fields around the county and we found this fungi, giving heads a dirty or sooty appearance, called Sooty Head Mold. These fungi are considered to be a saprophytic or possibly weak or opportunistic parasites, but they can accelerate senescence and many contribute to kernel smudge.
Control measures are rarely justified. During harvest, clouds of dark spores are common in fields in which this fungi is present.
