Scout and Protect the Grain when needed
This week, we have been looking at wheat fields in regards to freeze/cold injury and disease pressure. Much of the wheat in the county ranges from the late boot stage to the flowering stage at this time. Growers should be scouting for rust disease signs (stripe rust has been confirmed in our area). Depending on yield potential and current conditions, growers should consider protecting wheat from Fusarium Head Blight at the flowering stage of growth. Next is some information from Dr. Alfredo Martinez, UGA grain pathologist about Fusarium Head Blight.
Fusarium Head Blight/Head Scab – Fusarium Head Blight requires humid/wet weather coinciding with wheat at flowering growth stages for infection to occur. There are no symptoms or signs to scout for, therefore, we rely on weather conditions and predictions. The application window for chemical control is very tight and must occur during anthesis/flowering. The following are fungicides recommended for control of FHB: metconazole (Caramba), propiconazole (Tilt), prothioconazole (Proline), tebuconazole (Folicur), prothioconazole + tebuconazole (Prosaro), pydiflumetofen + propiconazole (Miravis Ace). The FHB risk tool https://www.wheatscab.psu.edu is now live and available. The platform has been re-designed with new features added so it is important to familiarize yourself with the content again.
If we can be of assistance at Worth County Extension, please let us know.