Soil-borne spores as a source of inoculum for wheat bunt (Tilletia caries)

Wheat bunt ( Tilletia caries ) has previously been controlled in the UK by routine seed treatment with organomercury. Recent examples are presented of unusual levels of infection due to soil-borne inoculum. The recent infections may be due to unusually dry weather, favouring the survival of spores in the soil, or to the presence of a more persistent strain of T. caries.