Ecology of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. & Curt.) M. B. Ellis in pasture in relation to facial eczema disease of sheep

Abstract

Significance to facial eczema is discussed. The correlation, found by other workers, of facial eczema with large numbers of P. chartarum spores in pasture, indicates that pasture containing a large amount of plant debris at those times in summer and autumn when rainfall and Temperature are most suitable for development of the fungus will bring on the disease. It is suggested that risk of facial eczema will be diminished with reduction of the amount of plant debris by reducing grass flowering, increasing summer survival of grasses, preventing leaf death due to shading in tall swards, controlling pasture pests and diseases, avoiding mowing, and eliminating undesirable species such as Yorkshire fog. © 1963, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.