Winter wheat in South Dakota has started flowering, which is also a period when Fusarium head blight (FHB) starts to develop. FHB can cause significant grain yield loss through reduced grain weight and poor quality due to accumulation of mycotoxins mainly deoxynivalenol (DON). The only in-season FHB management practice is by applying a fungicide when the risk for FHB is moderate to high. The timing of the fungicide is crucial in order to maximize protection against FHB. The fungicide needs to be applied at the flowering time, if the risk for FHB is moderate or high. Currently the FHB prediction tool is showing low to high for risk depending on the FHB resistance in the variety planted. Some areas in the state are relatively dry hence the low FHB risk in these areas. However, the FHB risk is likely to change as weather changes. It is advisable to keep checking the predicted FHB risk until wheat has completed the flowering (about 6 days prior to flowering and 6 days after flowering) to be out of danger for FHB. Best fungicides to apply to manage FHB include Prosaro, Miravis Ace, Caramaba.

--Emmanuel Byamukama, Assistant Professor and Plant Pathology Extension Specialist, South Dakota State University