What causes sorghum ergot?
Ergot is caused by the fungus Claviceps africana that infects the ovary during flowering but prior to pollination. How does ergot affect sorghum? Ergot impacts seed production. Male-sterile (female parent) sorghums in hybrid seed production fields are most heavily damaged by ergot because they require an external pollen source for fertilization. Commercial grain sorghum hybrids have a negligible incidence of ergot during normal growing seasons. What are the symptoms of ergot? The most obvious symptom of ergot is a sugary exudation from infected flowers, called honeydew. It varies in color from clear to yellow-brown, pink or matte white. If environmental conditions are right saprophytes may grow on the honeydew giving it a black, matted appearance. Where is the disease located? Until recently, the disease was found only in India and Africa. In 1995, it was widespread in Brazil and has since spread to neighboring countries; it has been detected in Australia, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Re
