Thanks to last week’s rain, the area of medium to high scab risk for NC wheat currently flowering includes much of the southern Coastal Plain and Tidewater region from Robeson through Sampson and Lenoir counties, with heavier risk farther east. With the relatively dry forecast, however, risk will likely decline in the coming days. To monitor risk, go to the web site www.wheatscab.psu.edu. In the upper left corner, the plus key lets you zoom in. Just above it, clicking on the square allows you to choose the resistance of your wheat variety. Risk level is given for wheat flowering on the date selected at the top.

Apply a scab-targeted fungicide if your wheat is beginning to flower and your scab risk is medium to high. 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 (vomitoxin) in a scab epidemic. Miravis Ace, Sphaerex and Prosaro Pro are the most effective in reducing scab and should be applied at early wheat flowering or up to several days later, or about 6 days after full heading in barley.

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