Wheat on the Eastern shore of Maryland is heading and should start flowering within a week or so. Wheat in the north-western part (Frederick, Carroll, Hartford counties) is also close to heading or has started heading. Barley is already headed or is currently heading, depending upon the location and the variety. The FHB fungal pathogen infects the wheat plants at the flowering stage (when the yellow anthers emerge from the heads), which is the stage at which the application of fungicides is conducted in wheat. The FHB map currently does not show high risk, especially for a genetically resistant variety. However, keeping an eye on the forecasts and weather patterns over the next few days as your wheat flowers is recommended. If you are planning to apply fungicides for FHB, remember that triazole-containing fungicides (Miravis-Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro-Pro, and Sphaerex) should be used for controlling FHB. They can control other fungal pathogens like powdery mildew as well, in addition to scab. Strobilurin-containing fungicides should not be used at this stage.

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

Wheat is at or past flowering in much of North Carolina, and near flowering in the northeast part of the state. Scab risk remains very low here and in surrounding states. Given the extended period of dry, warm weather that lies ahead, scab is unlikely to be a problem for growers of wheat or barley in this state. At this time, no fungicide is needed for scab management in small grain crops in this area.

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

Barley is heading across the region, but scab risk is fairly low for all except those growing very susceptible varieites in western PA. If you missed a fungicide application at full heading, there is great news: we have recently revised our recommendations regarding fungicide timing. Work done by researchers in North Carolina found that the best spray timing for protecting winter barley from scab is application six days after 100 pct heading. With this new guidance we should get better DON reduction in barley than under our previous recommendation which targeted 50 pct heading. Current labels state that the last stage of application is mid-flower and there is a 30-day harvest restriction. Do not use any of the strobilurins (Quadris, Headline), or strobilurin/triazole (Twinline, Quilt, Stratego) combination products at flowering or later. There is evidence that they may cause an increase in mycotoxin production.

Miravis Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro Pro, and Sphaerex all provide very good scab suppression. The Miravis Ace label allows for earlier application than Caramba or Prosaro, but best results are still achieved when application is timed after full heading in barley. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30 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. Additionally, a fungicide treatment at heading using any of these products will also give you excellent control of most leaf diseases as well.

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

Wheat fields in Kentucky are now at anthesis (Feekes 10.51) or fast approaching it. Currently, most of the state is under “low risk” for FHB for susceptible to moderately resistant varieties; however, for very susceptible varieties, some areas are in a medium to high risk, with predictions of risk to increase over the next two days. For in-season management of FHB, it is important to apply a fungicide with efficacy against FHB. The most recent edition of the “Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Wheat Diseases” publication is available on the Crop Protection Network (https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/fungicide-efficacy-for-c…), which provides information on efficacy of fungicides for control of FHB and other diseases. For FHB management with fungicides, it is important to apply at Feekes growth stage 10.51 up to about 6 days after for the greatest protection against FHB.

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

Wheat is primarily in the filling grain period for the main wheat-producing areas of the state (with some very late planted fields entering flowering). The Fusarium Head Blight risk forecast model indicates low risk for most of the state. Dry weather is expected for the next 10 days in Georgia.

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

Wheat was in the boot stage in southern Indiana last week, whereas in central Indian we are around Feekes 8 as the flag leaves are beginning to emerge. As wheat heads reach complete emergence it will be important to start watch for beginning flowering. Currently Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk is low for Indiana (4/22/24). It will be important to keep an eye on this map to make an informed decision to determine if fungicides for scab are needed once wheat starts to flower.

--Dr. Darcy Telenko, Assistant Professor Extension Specialist, Purdue University

Barley is currently heading throughout Maryland currently. Wheat has still a few weeks to flower. We have had intermittent wet and warm days recently, and the trend seems to be continuing. Although the FHB risk map does not show a very high risk currently, remember that barley is susceptible. If you are considering applying fungicides on barley, remember that triazol-containing fungicides (Miravis-Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro-Pro, and Sphaerex) should be used for controlling FHB. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be used at this stage

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

Most wheat in Tennessee is in the flowering period, the highest period for susceptibility to scab/FHB infection. While risk is estimated to be low for 'susceptible varieties', those using very old varieties should change the model to 'very susceptible' and consider the higher risk. Similarly, the scattered showers within the 10-day window recently will increase risk and might not be captured in the model. Consider protecting wheat from scab/FHB and use the fungicide efficacy table to chose the right product for your situation -https://cropprotectionnetwork.s3.amazonaws.com/cpn3002_fungicideefficac…

--Heather Marie Kelly, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Tennessee-Entomology & Plant Pathology

Wheat is now entering the flowering period, when it is susceptible to scab infection, across central and eastern NC. In the northeast, wheat fields should be nearly all fully headed by 2 weeks from now, with flowering following a few days behind. The good news is that for the foreseeable future, scab risk in NC (and surrounding states) is very low due to the current, prolonged period of dry warm weather. The 10-day forecast is for mainly dry weather as well. No fungicide is needed for scab management in wheat or other small grain crops that are heading or flowering this week, and the same will likely hold next week too.

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

Wheat is now entering the flowering period, when it is susceptible to scab infection, across central and eastern NC. In the northeast, wheat fields should be nearly all fully headed by 2 weeks from now, with flowering following a few days behind. The good news is that for the foreseeable future, scab risk in NC (and surrounding states) is very low due to the current, prolonged period of dry warm weather. The 10-day forecast is for mainly dry weather as well. No fungicide is needed for scab management in wheat or other small grain crops that are heading or flowering this week, and the same will likely hold next week too.

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