Study on ergot diseases of gramineous grass and characteristics of the fungus

Ergot disease could seriously decrease crops yield. Lots of alkaloids in grassfungal parasitism associations were toxic to animals and human. In this study, we investigated gramineous plants in the areas of middle Xinjiang and eastern Qinghai. Ergot disease were detected on 5 genera within 3 subfamily which favored by livestock. Incidence of infection was very high, up to 65%. Ladybugs, flies and ants tend to stay on the infected plants. Eighteen isolates were obtained from 6 species of 5 genera. Characteristics of colony, growth rate, the shape and size of conidia were conducted. The morphological features of the isolates were similarly to Sphacelia sp.. Fungicide sensitivity tests indicated that carbendazim could inhibit the isolates. The wide occurrence of ergot disease in the scenic and pasturing areas should be concerned.