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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Apr 1943

Vol. 89 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control and Prevention of Wheat Disease.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state with reference to the disease known as "ear blight" on wheat, which was described by Dr. R. McKay and Dr. H.A. Lafferty at a recent scientific meeting of the Royal Dublin Society, (a) what efforts have been made by his Department to control and prevent the increase in the incidence of the disease; (b) whether mercurial dressing of seed kills the fungus Gibberella Sanbinetti; (c) why farmers are not advised to grow red varieties if white seed is more susceptible; (d) the counties comprising the infected area; (e) why wheat is permitted to be grown in the infected area if the disease is a menace to wheat-growing and the infection spreading; (f) whether seed containing the fungus can be identified when sent for germination test, and, if so, what instructions have been issued to local seed-testing stations with reference to the matter; (g) what measures have been taken to warn farmers of the danger of this disease and the necessity of having seed tested for germination.

The disease known as "ear blight" is found in many countries. It is caused by one or more species of fusarium which produce on the ears of cereals a conspicuous red colouring. Outbreaks of the disease have occurred periodically in this country over a long period. They have been most prevalent in wet seasons and in wet districts, but their occurrence has not been restricted to the latter. The principal fungus responsible, which was first identified here in 1918, again made its appearance on wheat in 1942 in a more severe form.

The disease attacks other cereals as well as wheat, and no variety of the latter is known to be immune. Whilst it is believed that the disease is seed-borne, this is not the only means of spreading it. The application of mercurial or other dressings to affected grain has been found to be ineffective in checking the spread of the disease.

Badly-affected samples showing the characteristic red colouring of the disease can be distinguished, but not all affected samples can be easily identified. Diseased samples usually have a low germinating capacity, consequently the testing of seed before sowing is the most helpful measure which can be adopted to lower the incidence of this and other diseases. The desirability of testing seed wheat for germination has been brought to the notice of farmers and others on numerous occasions.

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