Black Point of Irrigated Wheat in Central Washington. Otis C. Maloy, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6430. Karen L. Specht, Research Technician, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6430. Plant Dis. 72:1031-1033. Accepted for publication 1 August 1988. Copyright 1988 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-72-1031.

A survey of 42 fields of the spring wheat cultivar Yecora Rojo revealed that black point occurs more frequently in fields irrigated by center-pivot than by rill or wheelline. There was no consistent association of fungi with black point nor was there any apparent detrimental effects of black point on seed germinability. Helminthosporium and Fusarium species were found in seed from a high proportion of the fields sampled. Surface disinfestation did not eliminate these fungi but, rather, enhanced their development, presumably by eliminating competing organisms.