Festuca spp.
fescue grasses
2 Related Pests
Ustilago bullata
fungus
Ustilago bromivora, Ustilago asprellae
Worldwide
Widespread
-
2024-11-11
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures on all its hosts. It is not clear from the literature the exact distribution of this fungus, as well as its host range. Often used as a biocontrol agent on undesirable grasses.
Poaceae family of grasses; brome grass, wild rye grass, wheat grass, barley grass, fescue grass
Yes
USTIBU-2, USTIBU-3
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures.
Visual examination during physical purity testing
USTIBU-2, USTIBU-3
Visual examination
AOSA/SCST, ISTA
Common physical purity tests during routine seed quality testing should identify any infection by this fungus.
Normal seed cleaning and conditioning should eliminate any contamination of seed by this fungus.
Farr, D.F. and Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. 2017, http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/
Richardson, MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
AOSA Rules for Seed Testing; www.analyzeseeds.com
International Rules for Seed Testing. International Seed Testing Association; www.seedtest.org
Anguina graminis
nematode
n/a
Very little information was found on the distribution of this nematode.
n/a
n/a
2025-08-12
Some Anguina species are significant pests in trade, and because they often target specific grass hosts, certain cases once identified as A. agrostis on Festuca may be A. graminis. It spreads mainly through its galls on infested grass seed heads, which can be moved by wind, water, animals, or contaminated seed. When planted, the nematodes emerge from the galls and infect new plants.
Main: Festuca rubra, Festuca spp.
Yes
ANGUGR-1, ANGUGR-2, ANGUGR-3, ANGUGR-4, ANGUGR-5
Seed is a known pathway for seed-gall nematodes
ANGUGR-1, ANGUGR-2, ANGUGR-3, ANGUGR-4, ANGUGR-5
Visual examination, Seed wash, Size selective sieving, PCR
ANGUGR-3
The seed is soaked in 500 ml of water for 48 h, followed by blending, sieving, and screening 20 ml of flowthrough for SGNs under a dissecting microscope. This process is customary for detection in seed shipments but has not been standardized.
chemical, Cultural
ANGUGR-2, ANGUGR-5
Cultural methods are being researched such as crop rotation, fallowing, and ploughing. Nematicides have shown effective in infected fields. Hot water at 52 °C for 15 min, followed by a 2-hour water soak.
Dorofeeva LV, Evtushenko LI, Krausova VI, Karpov AV, Subbotin SA, Tiedje JM. 2002. Rathayibacter caricis sp nov and Rathayibacter festucae sp nov., isolated from the phyllosphere of Carex sp and the leaf gall induced by the nematode Anguina graminis on Festuca rubra L., respectively. International J. Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 52:1917-1923.
Nemaplex.UCDavis.edu; Revision Date: 16-December-2024; Accessed 12-August-2025
Rivedal, H. M., Temple, T. N., Starchvick, R. J., Braithwaite, E., Lowder, S. R., Dorman, S. J., ... & Zasada, I. A. (2024). Comparison of molecular and morphological identification methods for Anguina seed gall nematodes in Oregon grasses grown for seed. PhytoFrontiers™, 4(4), 504-514.
Dr. H. M. Rivedal, USDA Research Plant Pathologist, personal communication, August 6, 2025
PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook. (2024). Grass seed nematode (grass seed gall, seed gall). Oregon State University.
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