Effect of Various Smut Treatments on Yield of Winter Wheat 1

Under certain conditions, formalin will reduce the vitality of the seed when used to control smut of wheat. Copper sulfate is also harmful, but not to the same extent as formalin. Since both of these disinfectants may reduce the germination percentage of seed grain, it is likely that the effect may reflect itself in yield, either by an actual reduction in stand or by diminishing the vigor of the surviving plants. The investigation herein reported was undertaken with a view to determine the effect of formalin, copper sulfate, and copper carbonate on yields of fall wheat as compared to sowing untreated seed under dry-land conditions in Utah.