The high quality oats that Saskatchewan produces are in demand
for the horse industry in the United States. Oats are primarily
used for livestock feed or breakfast foods. Common root rot,
seedling blight and prematurity blight of cereals are caused by
the same species of soil-inhibiting fungi (Cochliobolus sativus
and Fusarium spp.). What is Crown Rust of Oat? Ergot is a plant
disease caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, which infects
the developing grains of cereals and grasses. The importance of
seed-borne diseases in cereals. Sooty moulds often show up as
grey patches in the field. What variety of oats should I seed?
What kinds of field should I avoid? Oat is an important crop
world wide, with production at approximately 25 million tonnes.