With the predicted showers and thunderstorms for the majority of this week, the weather is expected to be conducive for FHB. Although the FHB risk map currently shows a low risk for head scab, the real risk may escalate in the next few days, especially for the susceptible varieties. Wheat is currently in the flowering stage on the Eastern shore of Maryland, across the state of Maryland. Flowering is when yellow anthers emerge from the wheat spikes. If you have planted a susceptible variety for FHB, you may consider applying FHB fungicides.

If you are planning to apply fungicides for FHB, remember that triazole-containing fungicides (Miravis-Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro-Pro, and Sphaerex) should be used for controlling FHB. They can control other fungal pathogens like powdery mildew, rusts, in addition to scab. Strobilurin-containing fungicides should not be used at this stage. These fungicides do not need to be tank-mixed with another product for spraying. The fungicide products should be applied at the full rate recommended by the manufacturers. Aerial application at a rate of 5 gallons per acre or ground application at 15 gallons per acre with 300-350 um droplet size is recommended. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30-45 deg down from horizontal, toward the grain heads, using forward- and backward-mounted nozzles or nozzles with a two-directional spray, such as Twinjet nozzles.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland