Winter malting barley heads are beginning to emerge from the boot in fields across New York State. This is a critical time for making a fungicide spray decision. The fungicide products Miravis Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro Plus, and Sphaerex are each labeled on barley and wheat in New York and are effective in suppression of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin contamination. An application of these fungicide products should be based on FHB risk as well as the risks of powdery mildew, rusts, and fungal leaf blotches (especially scald) in the upper canopy based on scouting of individual fields. There is an application window of approximately 7 days starting at full head emergence of barley in which reasonable FHB and DON suppression can be expected. Though the calculated risk of FHB infection is currently low, the risk level may change in following days. Check the Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (www.wheatscab.psu.edu) and your local weather forecast frequently.

Winter wheat will begin flowering (yellow anthers visible) later this month, so be sure to monitor this site and your wheat fields from now into early June to make a fungicide spray decision on that crop.

--Gary Bergstrom, Extension Plant Pathologist, Cornell University