Wheat in much of central and eastern Kansas will be heading and flowering this week. These growth stages are vulnerable to Fusarium infection. Dry soil conditions are the dominate factor affecting wheat in central Kansas. However, some areas of eastern Kansas have received more rain this spring. The disease models are now showing moderate and high risk in the eastern portions of the state. This period of risk is a little out of sync with the crop since most wheat in this region of the state likely flowered a 4-7 days ago. Growers in this area should take a closer look at the situation as fungicide applications may be warranted where yield potential is reasonable. Seed production fields would be a top priority.

--Erick DeWolf, Plant Pathologist, Kansas State University

The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center estimates disease risk for wheat and barley.

Wheat in KS, MO, IL, IN is now at or approaching growth stages that are vulnerable to Fusarium infection. There are some areas of moderate and high risk in these states. Growers in these areas should be watching weather for additional periods of humid, rainy weather that could stimulate disease.

Tips of using the tool: The tool shows the disease risk for susceptible wheat varieties for today’s date. You can select earlier assessment dates by clicking on the calendar menu at the top of the risk map. The risk maps based on 2, 4 or 6 days of forecasted weather are accessed by selecting the buttons to the right of the date selection menu. Use the menu button on the upper left corner of the map to active risk maps for wheat varieties with other levels of genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight.

Please note that the colors showing the different levels of disease risk changed this year. The lowest level of disease risk is now represented as yellow on the risk map. Moderate and high levels of risk are represented orange and red, respectively.

--Erick DeWolf, Plant Pathologist, Kansas State University

Wheat is currently flowering on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Growers with susceptible varieties planted are advised to spray head scab fungicides (Prosaro/ Caramba/ Miravis-Ace). However, if your planted wheat variety is resistant, the predicted risk for FHB is not high, so you can skip using the FHB fungicide application. Please note that if you are concerned about other fungal diseases like powdery mildew in your crop, you should still opt for the FHB fungicides at this stage. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be sprayed at this stage. These fungicides do not need to be tank-mixed with another product for spraying. The fungicide products should be applied at the full rate recommended by the manufacturers. In the Northern counties, we are still around a week away from flowering.

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

Head scab risk has been low across Michigan, likely driven by the exceptionally dry conditions experienced across most of the state. Flowering in our head scab trials in central Michigan (East Lansing) began May 27th. It should be remembered that best fungicide timing for head scab control occurs from flowering (10.5.1) through seven days post the beginning of flowering. Fungicides applied at this time will also assist with protection of the flag leaf and foliage from late season diseases.

--Martin Chilvers, Associate Professor, Field Crop Pathology, Michigan State University

'Wheat in the Eastern Shore and the Southern part of the state is flowering (yellow anthers showing up on the heads) currently. Hopefully, you did not select a highly susceptible variety to begin with, as the FHB risk is increasing for such varieties. Growers with highly susceptible wheat varieties planted and having their wheat flowering, are advised to spray head scab fungicides (Prosaro/ Caramba/ Miravis-Ace). However, if you planted an FHB resistant variety, the head scab risk is predicted low currently. Powdery mildew is being observed across several fields this year, depending upon the planted variety. If you see high levels of powdery mildew on flag leaves and heads do not spray strobilurin containing fungicides, instead opt for FHB fungicides, as these control all fungal diseases. In the Northern counties, we are still around 7-10 days away from flowering.

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

Scab risk across the majority of PA remains low through the weekend despite forecasted moisture, mainly because of unseasonably cool temperatures. However, for barley that will be heading across southern and central western PA in the first half of next week, a protective fungicide application may be advised for susceptible or very susceptible varieties. Check your risk level any time at wheatscab.psu.edu.

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

Wheat in the Eastern Shore of Maryland will be flowering (50% of the main tillers showing yellow anthers) in a couple of days. Although the weather has been wet since the weekend, the temperatures are rather low for widespread FHB development. Therefore, the epidemiological models are predicting low risk currently and for the next 4-6 days. However, with more rains coming, growers are advised to keep a close eye on the FHB risk over the coming days. In case the risk escalates, the recommended head scab fungicides are Prosaro/ Caramba/ Miravis-Ace/ at wheat flowering or within 4-5 days afterwards. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be sprayed at this stage. In the northern counties, wheat is booting, and still roughly around 1-2 weeks away from flowering.

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

As of April 19, 2022, in Central Texas (Hill county), wheat are in the heading stage (Feekes 10.1-10.5). Wheat varieties in evaluated areas include WB Cedar and Terrell 8861. General observation is that wheat heads continue to develop normally with no indication of FHB infection.

As of April 19, 2022, in Southwest Texas (Williamson county), wheat are in the heading stage (Feekes 10.1-10.5). Wheat variety in evaluated are include TAM 304. General observation is that wheat heads continue to develop normally with no indication of FHB infection.

As of April 19, 2022, in the Texas Panhandle (Potter county), wheat second stem node is visible (Feekes 7). Wheat variety in evaluated are include TAM 114. General observation is that wheat have not started heading and FHB risk is unknown. Temperature in this area of Texas remains cyclical with alternating lows and highs. Conditions remain dry and war/hot with occasional high winds.

--Ken Obasa, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Texas A&M University

Welcome to the FHB risk assessment for Maryland. This is our first commentary for this season, and they will be posted regularly throughout the small grain season from here on. Hopefully, you selected a resistant wheat variety for your planting this year after referring to the University of Maryland’s FHB evaluation of wheat varieties. A good start goes a long way in managing FHB.

Wheat in the Eastern shore of Maryland is either at jointing or booting stage and should be heading out in a week or so. Barley, however, is heading in most parts of the state. It is important to note that the correct stage for spraying fungicides on wheat is at flowering (when the yellow anthers start to show on the heads), whereas on barley it is at heading (when the heads emerge from the boots). Up in the north in Frederick, Harford and nearby counties, wheat plants are starting to joint, and are not at a stage prone for FHB.

The FHB risk is currently predicted to be low across the state. However, with the shower forecasted for this weekend, the risk may escalate in the coming weeks. The traditionally recommended fungicides for FHB are Prosaro, Miravis-Ace or Caramba at the right stage of the crop. Several new products are commercially available to the farmers this year for FHB management, including Sphaerex (from BASF) and Prosaro-Pro (from Bayer). Trials have been conducted over the past two years by pathologists at public Universities across multiple states (including by me at the University of Maryland) with these new products, and these new products were found to be equally effective in controlling FHB and DON in wheat and barley. The FHB-fungicides should be able to control any other foliar fungal diseases observed in wheat and barley (such as powdery mildew). Fungicides containing strobilurin should not be applied for control of FHB, as in multiple university research trials, strobilurin fungicides have been shown to increase DON levels in grain.

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

Some barley is beginning to emerge from boot in the southernmost regions of Pennsylvania. Be sure to scout for growth stage as your crop may be deceivingly short this year. Risk of scab infection is currently low given the cool temperatures. Keep a watchful eye on your crop, and if you plan to spray for head scab, target a fungicide application when 50% of the barley stems in the field are fully headed. Caramba, Prosaro and Miravis Ace give good control of most leaf and head diseases, in addition to suppressing scab. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30° down from horizontal, toward the grain heads, using forward- and backward mounted nozzles or nozzles with a two directional spray, such as Twinjet nozzles. Continue to visit wheatscab.psu.edu to use the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center for estimating your crop’s scab risk.

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