Molecular biological quantification of the causal agent of common bunt in wheat

摘要

Hyphae of the causal agent of common bunt (Tilletia caries, syn. T. tritici) penetrate the tissue of wheat during the growing phase, but the infection process is latent until plants reach full maturity. It then transforms grains into son filled with Tilletia teliospores. Tilletia produces strongly smelling trimethylamin, which prevents grain being used for food or from being stored. The presence of common bunt lowers the harvest quality index and leads to total loss of the crop; this means loss of all costs incurred in growing the crop (including fertilizer and other treatments, and harvest) and its disposal.