Evaluation of the resistance of barley and wheat to ergot caused by Claviceps purpurea
Studies were conducted during three growing seasons (2003-2005) to evaluate the susceptibility to ergot (Claviceps purpurea) of 33 cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and 17 cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under natural conditions of infection. Wheat cultivars 'AC Napier' and 'Nass' were the most resistant with an ergot content below 0.10% in the harvested grain during the 3-year test. However, the wheat cultivars 'AC Barrie', 'AC Gabriel', 'Saku', 'SS Fundy' and 'Torka' showed little resistance to ergot. Among the two-row barley cultivars, 'AC Metcalfe' showed a better resistance to ergot than the others. The two-row cultivars 'Almonte' and 'Sunderland' were the most susceptible to ergot. The six-row cultivars 'Acca' and 'Viviane' were the only ones with an ergot content below 0.10% during the 3-year test. The cultivars 'AC Alma', 'AC Legend', 'AC Malone', 'AC Nadia', 'Cyane', 'Foster', 'Païdia' and 'Sumosan' had an ergot content higher than 0.10% from 2003 to 2005. This study suggests that the use of a barley or wheat cultivar resistant to ergot could be useful in areas where the disease is common.