Control of Dry Seed Decay of Wheat. D. E. Mathre and R. H. Johnston, Department of Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman 59717. Plant Dis. 75:957-959. Accepted for publication 27 March 1991. Copyright 1991 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-75-0957.
 

Soils collected from four areas of Montana where wheat is grown under semiarid conditions were adjusted to moisture levels near or below those necessary for seed germination. Pondera spring wheat seed was treated with five commercial fungicides that had previously been screened for activity against a Penicillium sp. isolated from a seed showing dry seed decay. Treated seed was placed into soil and stored for 5 wk at 17 C. After incubation, some of the seed was retrieved and evaluated for visible colonization by Penicillium. Germination in soil after addition of moisture was also determined. Seed treatment with any of the materials reduced the level of Penicillium and increased germination. The addition of Penicillium spores to the soil resulted in the recovery of higher levels of Penicillium-colonized seed and reduced levels of germination. Treatment with imazalil provided the best control of dry seed decay.