Ergot ascopores are still being detected on most days at all spore trap sites.

Ascospore production by the pathogen is favored by:

• moderate temperatures (≤80°F)
• high soil moisture, rainfall, and/or irrigation.
• conditions that delay or interfere with pollination, such as cool, wet weather, can increase the period of susceptibility in grass seed crops.

It is recommended that growers scout fields as grass seed crops approach anthesis.

Protective fungicides should be applied prior to the onset of anthesis to protect unfertilized flowers from infection.

Cultivars with prolonged flowering periods may require multiple applications.

Please refer to the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook for more information (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/grass-seed-ergot).