Control of Foot Rot (Phoma sp.) of Flax

Abstract

WITH regard to the reference¹ made to the use of 'New Improved Ceresan' for the prevention of foot rot (Phoma sp.) of flax, further experimental work has given the following results. Seed with a moisture content below 10 per cent and treated with this disinfectant at the rate of 12 oz. per cwt. showed an adverse effect of the treatment on germination when kept for 18 weeks in hundredweight lots under ordinary storage conditions. Tests made with seeds on porous dishes placed on damp sand showed that the germination of treated seeds was 75 per cent as compared with 95 per cent in the case of the untreated. This adverse effect was also apparent when seeds were sown in soil in the greenhouse. No effect on germination was observed when the seed had been stored for 8 weeks. Seed from the same lot as the above but treated with 'Arasan' at the rate of 12 oz. per cwt. and stored for 18 weeks under similar conditions showed no reduction in germination.