Field library

Karnal Bunt

Individual grains turn black and powdery from the crease outward, and the crop smells of rotting fish at harvest. It rarely destroys much yield but it downgrades the grain badly and infected seed spreads it to the next crop. Humid weather at flowering is what allows infection.

How to scout

Rub out 20 heads from across the field at the dough stage and look at the grain crease. Even one or two blackened grains per head is worth noting for seed selection.