Wheat in the Eastern Shore of Maryland has finished flowering. Wheat in the Northern and Western parts of the state is flowering. The weather in Maryland has been a roller coaster this spring, and plants have been under stress due to late frost damage in the beginning and now due to record high temperatures this week.

The FHB risk map shows moderate levels of FHB resistance. If you have planted a susceptible variety which has just flowered last week or is flowering right now, and you have not sprayed FHB fungicides, you can still do so, as fungicide application 4-6 days after flowering is also known to provide some control. The recommended stage for application of fungicides on wheat is at flowering (50% of the main tillers showing yellow anthers) or within 4-5 days of that.

The fungicides effective for FHB are Miravis-Ace/Prosaro/Prosaro-pro/Sphaerex. These products will also control other fungal foliar diseases being observed sporadically in the fields, such as powdery mildew and rusts. 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. Strobilurin-containing fungicides should not be sprayed at this stage.

If you have planted a resistant variety, the FHB risk does not seem particularly high at this moment.

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

Dry and hot spring weather has been keeping scab risk low up to this point, however, some areas are at medium risk this week. While the risk map is very helpful to determine average risk across large areas, it may not always reflect precise conditions that occur in pockets of wheat production that are not well-represented by weather stations. If your wheat or barley has been experiencing showers or high humidity for a few weeks, consider a fungicide application for scab at early flowering. 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). The Miravis Ace label allows for earlier application than other fungicides, but best results are still achieved when application is timed after full heading in barley and flowering in wheat. If weather conditions prevent fungicide application at ideal timing, an application as soon as conditions allow will still be quite effective in reducing scab and DON production. Follow labels to determine post-harvest interval constraints for the fungicide you choose. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30 degrees down from horizontal, toward the grain heads, using forward- and backward-mounted nozzles or nozzles with a two-directional spray, such as Twinjet nozzles. Additionally, a fungicide treatment at heading using any of these products will also give you excellent control of most leaf diseases as well.

Given the extreme heat across much of PA early this week, there is increased risk of phytotoxicity (including interference with pollination) as a result of untested tank mixes. Avoid including additives in your fungicide application, such as fertilizers, insecticides and adjuvants while wheat is flowering in these conditions. If a spreader or sticker is recommended, follow the fungicide label to determine the appropriate one.

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

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