Wheat across Maryland, including the Eastern Shore, is now flowering, the stage when yellow anthers emerge from the wheat heads. This is the critical window for FHB infection and the optimal timing for an FHB-targeted fungicide application. If you have planted a susceptible variety, consider an application at early flowering (when anthers are visible) or within the recommended window shortly thereafter.

With forecasted showers and thunderstorms this week, conditions are expected to become more favorable for Fusarium head blight (FHB/head scab). The FHB risk map currently indicates moderate FHB risk in the region, and it can further increase quickly over the next several days, especially in susceptible varieties, if warm, humid conditions persist.

For FHB control, use triazole-containing fungicides such as Miravis Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro Pro, or Sphaerex. These products also provide activity against other foliar fungal diseases (e.g., powdery mildew and rusts), although those are not currently a major concern. Avoid strobilurin-containing fungicides at this stage. These products do not need to be tank-mixed with another fungicide for FHB control, and they should be applied at the full labeled rate.

For best coverage of wheat heads, follow label guidance and use appropriate application practices. In general, aerial application at a rate of 5 gallons per acre or ground application at 15 gallons per acre with 300-350 um droplet size is recommended. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30-45 deg down from horizontal, toward the grain heads, using forward- and backward-mounted nozzles or nozzles with a two-directional spray, such as Twinjet nozzles.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland

Barley is heading in the southernmost regions of Pennsylvania. Be sure to scout for growth stage as there appears to be a good deal of variability across the region due to the dry fall and spring. Risk of scab infection is medium in many Southeast areas now, but keep an eye on your risk forecast as your crop approaches heading.

The best fungicide application window for barley is from 100% heading up to a week later. If you plan to spray for head scab, choose a labeled triazole-containing product (FRAC 3) like Proline, Prosaro, Prosaro Pro, Miravis Ace, or Sphaerex. Do not use a product that contains any strobilurin (FRAC 11).

--Alyssa A. Collins, Associate Professor, Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University

Most wheat across the state has reached or is entering flowering. Dry conditions accelerated development in many fields, resulting in earlier heading, shorter plants, and somewhat reduced head size. Rainfall over the weekend was much needed but uneven. The Eastern Shore received up to ~0.75 inches, while parts of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck received only ~0.25 inches.

A freeze event about one week ago is now beginning to show symptoms in some fields. Growers should scout approximately 7 days after the freeze to distinguish head bleaching caused by freeze injury from symptoms that may develop later due to Fusarium head blight (scab).

The current FHB risk is moderate, with additional rain in the forecast. The highest risk fields are those planted into corn stubble with susceptible varieties. With variable yield potential and recent weather patterns, fungicide decisions should be made on a field-by-field basis, prioritizing fields with strong yield potential or contractual obligations. Fungicide applications are most effective when applied at early flowering (Feekes 10.5.1).

--Douglas S. Higgins, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agriculture Research and Extension Center

Wheat on Maryland's Eastern Shore is heading and should begin flowering within about a week or so. Wheat in northwestern Maryland (Frederick, Carroll, and Harford counties) is also at or near heading, with some fields already starting to head. Wheat becomes most susceptible to Fusarium head blight (FHB) at flowering, so the highest-risk window will begin as soon as heads start to flower and will continue for some days thereafter.

FHB infection occurs primarily when yellow anthers emerge from the head. This is the optimal timing for an FHB-targeted fungicide application. Recent showers have helped relieve drought stress, but they also increase the potential for FHB by creating more favorable moisture conditions. Current FHB risk is moderately high and could increase further if forecasted rainfall raises humidity and temperatures.

Please be prepared to spray at early flowering (when anthers are visible) or within 4-6 days of flowering, depending on field conditions and application logistics.

If you plan to apply a fungicide for FHB, use a triazole-containing product such as Miravis Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro Pro, or Sphaerex. These products also provide activity against several foliar fungal diseases. Avoid strobilurin-containing fungicides at this stage.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland

Wheat in Southeast Kansas is ahead of schedule in 2026 and is rapidly entering the heading and flowering growth stages of development. Flowering (Feekes 10.5.1 - https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/wheat-growth-and-development-poster…) is the critical window for a fungicide application to control Fusarium head blight (scab). Because of high relative humidity and recent warm temperatures, this region (Southeast Kansas) is currently at high risk for Fusarium head blight according to the Fusarium Risk Tool (https://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/). This risk is forecasted to continue through the week. Montgomery, Wilson, Neosho, Crawford, Allen, Woodson, and Cherokee counties appear to be at highest risk. Moderate risk extends into counties in the south-central part of the state, including parts of Cowley, Sumner, Harper Sedgwick and Harvey counties.

Well-timed fungicide applications are recommended for Fusarium head blight control in Kansas when weather is favorable for the disease, particularly for susceptible varieties. Wheat planted into corn residue will be at the highest risk. Products like Miravis Ace, Prosaro Pro and Sphaerex can be effective and should be applied within the flowering period for maximum efficacy. Products containing FRAC group 11 active ingredients should not be sprayed for Fusarium head blight control. Although our state-wide wheat rust risk has been low to date, products labeled for Fusarium head blight will also provide excellent protection against leaf and stripe rust (should they develop later in the grain filling period). More information about product efficacy for Fusarium head blight and other wheat diseases can be found here: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/foliar-fungicide-efficacy-ratin…. It is important to keep an eye on pre-harvest restrictions at this point in the season. The products listed above have either a 30-day pre-harvest interval (cannot be applied within 30 days of harvest) or cannot be applied after Feekes 10.5.4 (end of flowering, watery ripe growth stage).

--Kelsey Andersen Onofre, Assistant Professor, Wheat Extension Specialist, Kansas State University

Drought conditions remain moderate to severe across much of Virginia. Although a weather system moved through the state on April 19, most major small grain production areas received little rainfall (<0.1 inch). Combined with the warm temperatures observed last week, these dry conditions are accelerating winter wheat development. Much of the wheat in the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and Eastern Shore has headed or is approaching heading, and some fields have started flowering.

As of April 20, 2026, the risk of Fusarium Head Blight is low across most production regions, although pockets of moderate risk remain. Fields planted no-till into corn residue are at greater risk, especially when susceptible varieties were used. Growers with susceptible wheat planted into no-till corn stubble may still benefit from a timely fungicide application.

Because heat and drought can move wheat through growth stages more quickly than expected, scout fields frequently so fungicides can still be applied at the correct stage, Feekes 10.5.1 (beginning flowering).

--Douglas S. Higgins, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agriculture Research and Extension Center

Despite receiving some much-needed rainfall recently, Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk continues to be low across most of Kentucky, with a few small areas in a medium risk. Some early maturing wheat varieties began anthesis (Feekes 10.51 growth stage) last week in the most southern counties, and additional wheat fields will continue to begin anthesis over the coming days.

With the current low risk, factors such as susceptibility of the variety, forecasted rainfall in the coming days, and leaf disease incidence and risk should be considered. University of Kentucky research trials have shown that fungicide applications made at the Feekes 10.51 growth stage will also provide protection against leaf diseases, thus, scouting for leaf diseases, such as the Septoria leaf blotch complex, may help in a fungicide application decision.

The Wheat Foliar Fungicide Efficacy Guide located on the Crop Protection Network (https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/) provides information on the efficacy of different fungicide products against several important diseases of wheat.

--Dr. Carl A. Bradley, Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

Welcome to the wheat and barley heading and flowering season, Maryland! This is the first FHB risk forecast for this season from me, and I will continue to provide you with regular commentaries over the next 6-7 weeks. Wheat is some weeks away from flowering, but barley is starting/ will soon start to head, especially in the Eastern shore of the state. Right now, the risk map (below) is showing moderate FHB risk, however, this may change with the predicted rain over this weekend. So, if you have planted barley, keep monitoring closely for the FHB risk over the next couple of weeks. If your barley is starting to head, you might consider applying fungicides on it. If you are still some weeks away from your barley heading, keep monitoring for the risk. Unfortunately, for barley, there are no FHB-resistant varieties available so far. Remember, the best stage for applying FHB fungicides on barley is when the heads are completely out of the boots. The FHB fungicides are triazole-containing products (Miravis-Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro-Pro, Sphaerex). Do not apply strobilurin-containing fungicides. Wheat is continuing to tiller/ joint currently and is not at a stage susceptible to FHB susceptible right now. I observed some tip burn in our field plots at the Wye, which may be due to freeze-damage by the sudden dip in temperature last week.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland

Head scab risk is low across most of North Carolina due to the drought. The entire state is in severe or extreme drought, with no rain in the forecast. Southeastern counties such as Duplin, Onslow and Pender have higher levels of scab risk for susceptible wheat varieties. Much wheat in that area is in the heading and flowering stages, when it is vulnerable to scab infection.

For wheat planted with conventional tillage, low scab risk means a fungicide is unlikely to be profitable. If your wheat was planted no-till into corn debris, a large amount of that debris is still on the soil surface, AND your variety is rated susceptible to scab, a fungicide might be profitable even if forecasted risk is low.

To check if your variety is susceptible, visit the NC OVT site: https://ncovt.medius.re/wheat. Find your variety and scroll down to Disease Ratings.

--Christina Cowger, Small Grains Pathologist, USDA-ARS, NC State University

As of April 6, 2026, the Fusarium Head Blight risk forecast model indicates a medium risk for the primary wheat-producing regions of the state. In the southern region, overall wheat growth has passed anthesis and is transitioning into grain fill. The primary concern for wheat and oats in Georgia is the persistent dry conditions. There have been no reports of Fusarium Head Blight from county agents, growers, or consultants so far. Continue monitoring the Fusarium Risk Tool to make an informed decision regarding the need of fungicide application for FHB management.

--Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza, Professor and Extension Specialist , University of Georgia