Wheat fields have started to flower which means the time has come to decide if a fungicide application should be made to protect from Fusarium Head Blight (FHB). In our area, FHB, also known as wheat scab, is most commonly caused by the fungus F. graminearum and can be devastating to commercial wheat growers resulting in low seed germination, significant yield loss and reduced grain quality. This disease is more prominent in wheat but can also affect other small grains such as rye, barley, oats, and some forage grasses.

Symptoms of Fusarium Head Blight on wheat (Photos: Rome Ethredge).

Symptoms of FHB in wheat include bleaching of florets in the spike or head and with the presence of pinkish/orange mycelium at the base of the florets in moist conditions. FHB is introduced into a field by infected seed or windborne inoculum but can also overwinter in crop debris from wheat, barley, corn, and as soilborne inoculum. Wheat is susceptible to infection when the plant is at the anthesis stage and 3-5 days post-anthesis. It has been suggested that three or more rain or irrigation events during this growth stage with temperatures ranging from 77 degrees F to 86 degrees F, there is a high probability that FHB will develop if inoculum is present.

Symptoms of Fusarium Head Blight on wheat spikelets and kernels. FHB Infected kernels are compared to healthy kernels in the far right of the figure (Photos: Rome Ethredge and Alfredo Martinez).

It is difficult to control FHB, and the most effective way to combat this disease is to incorporate a variety of prevention methods like planting resistant varieties, managing crop sequence and tillage practices, and using fungicides in a timely manner. Even though fusarium damaged crops can be harvested, they are toxic to humans and livestock and should never be ingested. For more information on FHB, follow the link for the 2021-2022 Georgia Wheat Production Guide or contact your local extension office to speak with an agent if you have questions or concerns. https://grains.caes.uga.edu/content/dam/caes-subsite/grains/docs/wheat/Wheat-Production-Guide-2021.pdf

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