Rye

Boron deficiency in rye

Boron deficiency causes similar symptoms on wheat, barley, oats, and rye.

Small chlorotic spots form between the veins of the youngest unfolded leaves. The spots enlarge and coalesce to form characteristic white stripes. The stripes do not develop on mature leaves. Leaf unfolding is likely to be delayed and abnormal. Sterility of ears occurs, probably as a result of impairment of pollen germination and growth. Some increased tillering may be observed and internodes can be short.

Managing ergot infection

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea), can negatively impact the quality of small cereal and rye grain, and in turn, the profitability of the crop. A fungal parasite, the second phase of ergot development generates spores from the primary germinating sclerotia. As the spores become wind-borne and settle onto the flower of the plant, intercellular hyphae grow downward between the cells of the style and extend into the ovary. Because of the nature of spore transmission, ergot infection is most successful when the plant’s flower is fully open.

The fungus becomes increasingly prolific and difficult to manage during unseasonably cool, wet spring weather. The excessive moisture and cool weather prolong the flowering period and encourage the plant to form shallow roots.

Research supports that infection risks may be mitigated through proper micronutrient management. Boron applications have been known to reduce the incidence of ergot on barley. It is likely that infection is facilitated by the sterility of the flowers and by the open configuration of the spikelets when boron is deficient.