More pollen shedding, less infection risk

The future hybrid rye portfolio of KWS is adapted to the new ergot thresholds of the European Union from July 2024.

Rye is currently experiencing a renaissance in agriculture: Rye offers very high fiber levels and a series of benefits for human and animal nutrition. Thanks to its positive effects on animal welfare and the possibility to produce animal feed regionally, rye is gaining importance in animal feeding. Its high tolerance to drought stress and excellent nutrient-use efficiency contribute to the conservation of natural resources and promote sustainability in farming.

Rye shows generally a pronounced disease resistance. However, ergot poses a potential risk in rye due to toxic ergot alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Ergot is distributed worldwide and can infect more than 400 grass species. As a cross-pollinating crop, rye is particularly susceptible to ergot as its flowers open widely and allow this way for a transfer of ergot spores directly into rye flowers by means of aerosol deposition or insects.

KWS offers PollenPLUS varieties with substantially higher pollen shedding, which reduces the risk of ergot infection. The future hybrid rye portfolio of KWS is adapted to the new ergot thresholds of the European Union from July 2024. This will apply also to new variety types such as dwarf and spring rye.

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Andreas von Felde, Lead Global Product Management Feed
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Andrés Gordillo, Head of Rye Breeding
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Our new rye hybrids allow us already now to meet the requirements of the new thresholds for ergot of the EU. This will also apply to future hybrid rye types, such as dwarf or spring rye, which will open up new cultivation opportunities for farmers.

KWS Checklist

Preventive measures reduce the risk of ergot infection

To support pollen dispersal and rapid pollination, farmers should grow rye in locations exposed to wind.
Sowing of high-quality seed to avoid spreading sclerotia in the field.
Since ergot can survive up to three years in the soil, an appropriate crop rotation and pause from rye and triticale cultivation is important.
Integrate non ergot hosts such as leaf crops into the crop rotation to prevent the spread of the fungus.
An insufficient plant density leads to an uneven development of tillers and, thus, flowering, which promotes ergot infection.
Before flowering, grasses around the field should be cut as these are intermediate ergot hosts.
Ergot sclerotia left in the field after harvest may germinate in the spring. The fungus can be dispersed by means of insects, rain or droplets through the air and this way infect early-flowering grasses and cereals.
An appropriate sowing density and depth, a balanced nitrogen fertilization as well as an agronomically sound application of growth regulators will enable an even and narrow flowering window.

You can find more information about ergot and PollenPLUS here:
PollenPlus - KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

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