Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 121, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1919 — HOW TO COMBAT "TAKE-ALL” NEW WHEAT DISEASE [ARTICLE]

HOW TO COMBAT "TAKE-ALL” NEW WHEAT DISEASE

Lafayette, Ind., May 14, 1919. Dear Sir: The Botany department of the Experiment station has been making a careful investigation of the “takeall” wheat disease which recently made its appearance in this state. Dr. E. R. Mains and Dr. M. W. Gardner have spent much time examining infected fields and have been in daily touch with county agents and interested farmers in all parts of the state. They have also attended both the recent conferences of pathologists of the neighboring states and the federal department where all known facts about the disease were brought together for analysis and discussion. You will be interested in the following brief summary of their report made in the light of our present knowledge of the disease. Field Appearance of “Take-All.” In the field the disease so far as found up to this time appears in more or less circular patches varying in size from 5 to 50 feet in diameter. These are conspicuous because of the marked stunting of the plants which are often only a few inches high when healthy plants are knee deep. In heavily infected fields most of the plants are stunted or dead, with only an occasional normal plant, giving the field a very ragged appearance, The diseased plants are characterized by a dark brown discoloration and soft rotting of the leaf sheaths. As the disease progresses this rotting penetrates to the stem and finally causes the latter to rot off at the crown. Such plants tend to send out more shoots. This results in a thick rosette of short shoots. The diseased plants usually also have a darker green color than the healthy ones. Many plants in diseased areas are killed and the remaining diseased 'plants seldom head. Where It I». Uu to date the disease has been found in Illinois and Indiana. . In Illinois about 700 acres of wheat out of 4000 acres which had been surveyed around Granite City have the disease. The disease is so severe in that locality that many fields are wiped out by it. In Indiana “takeall” has been located in Laporte, Porter, Jasper and Tippecanoe counties. In Tippecanoe and Jasper counties the trouble has so far been found in but a few fields. Laporte and Porter counties report it rather mildly distributed. What To Do About It. From data at hand at the present time concerning this disease, the following recommendations are made: 1. Fields which are heavily or generally infected should be plowed up at once and planted to corn or soy beans.

2. Where the disease is restricted to a few small spots in the field these should be cut over a week or ten days before harvest with a scythe and after the cut wheat is dry burn over the area, if his can be done without, danger to the standing grain. Otherwise the infested areas and the wheat for a rod or more surrounding should be left uncut at harvest and burned over as soon as possible afterward. Do not allow stock in the field until this is done. 3. Since the straw from infected fields is a good carrier of the disease, such straw should not be spread or allowed to reach the manure heap. 4. The grain from infected fields should not be used for seed or so disposed of that it may become mixed with other wheat for seed purposes. 5. All fields having the disease should be put into grass, alfalfa or other legums as soon as possible and left for about four years. 6. Do not plant wheat, rye, barley or oats upon infected soil. Corn, alfalfa, clover, soy beans and pasture grass can probably be grown. 7. It will aid greatly in combatting this disease if you will report any suspected occurrence in your locality We will endeavor to send men to localities where the disease is reported and any cooperation which you may be able to furnish them will greatly aid in this work. For The Future.

Arrangements are being made to determine as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible the extent of the distribution and the severity of this disease in Indiana. Intensive studies are being pushed to obtain all possible information about this new and dangerous trouble in the shortest possible time. The foregoing recommendations represent the result of the study already made and the best judgment as to the immediate steps to take. . As more information may be developed supplementing or modifying these we will endeavor to keep you fully informed. , Your very truly, C. G. WOODBURY, Director.