Despite receiving some much-needed rainfall recently, Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk continues to be low across most of Kentucky, with a few small areas in a medium risk. Some early maturing wheat varieties began anthesis (Feekes 10.51 growth stage) last week in the most southern counties, and additional wheat fields will continue to begin anthesis over the coming days.

With the current low risk, factors such as susceptibility of the variety, forecasted rainfall in the coming days, and leaf disease incidence and risk should be considered. University of Kentucky research trials have shown that fungicide applications made at the Feekes 10.51 growth stage will also provide protection against leaf diseases, thus, scouting for leaf diseases, such as the Septoria leaf blotch complex, may help in a fungicide application decision.

The Wheat Foliar Fungicide Efficacy Guide located on the Crop Protection Network (https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/) provides information on the efficacy of different fungicide products against several important diseases of wheat.

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