Ukraine has begun sowing winter grains for the 2027 harvest, and seed-borne diseases remain one of the key risks at the start of the season. Farmers are being advised to pay particular attention to smut infections. According to laboratory tests conducted by the Ukravit Institute, common bunt was detected in more than 60% of samples tested for smut contamination, while approximately 10% contained dwarf bunt.
The main challenge is that smut diseases need to be controlled before sowing. Once infected and untreated seed is planted, controlling these diseases during the growing season becomes extremely difficult. In some of the samples tested, contamination exceeded the permitted level of 100 spores per grain, creating a direct risk to future crops.
Smut diseases are not the only threat to winter grains during their early development. Young plants can also be affected by root and crown rots, Septoria and powdery mildew, as well as soil and other pests. Effective protection therefore requires not only seed treatment but also regular field monitoring after emergence. Ukraine’s State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection recommends that crop protection measures be based on actual field conditions and established economic thresholds for pest and disease pressure.
Seed quality and proper preparation therefore become critical factors in determining future yield potential even before seedlings emerge. Laboratory testing, appropriate seed treatment and subsequent field monitoring can help identify risks at an early stage. For farmers, this provides an opportunity to protect yield potential and avoid more costly interventions later in the growing season.