Head scab risk has been low across North Carolina. Wheat throughout the state is either well past flowering or, in the far northeast, at least at mid-flowering. For those with wheat still flowering… the risk for wheat flowering now is low because weather in the last 2 weeks has been dry. By the time the May 7-10 rain events have a chance to elevate the risk, your wheat will likely be past the vulnerable stage, which is flowering.

Wheat heads are susceptible to Fusarium infection from early flowering through about 7 days after mid-flowering. Fungicides containing QoIs (strobilurins) should be avoided after flag leaf stage, as they can increase DON (AKA vomitoxin) in a scab epidemic. Miravis Ace, Prosaro, Caramba and Proline are about equally effective in reducing scab when applied at early wheat flowering and even several days later. Monitor scab risk at wheatscab@psu.edu.

--Christina Cowger, Small Grains Pathologist, North Carolina State University