By Scout Nelson
The latest scouting report from July 7 highlights increasing pest and disease activity in small grains across many fields. According to the update, wheat fields have now reached anthesis, and low levels of tan spot, wheat stem maggot, cereal aphids, and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) continue to be found.
For the first time this season, scouts also observed signs of Bacterial Leaf Streak (BLS), a disease that is expected to worsen with the arrival of high winds and scattered storms. “I expect the latter to worsen over the next week as the high winds that accompany the scattered thunderstorms provide the means for the disease to spread rapidly,” the update noted.
In addition, Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) risk is expected to rise in both southwestern and northwestern areas. However, due to the unpredictable and scattered nature of recent rainfall, disease forecasting tools like NDAWN and the national risk model may overestimate risks in fields that remain dry.
“As a consequence of the hit-and-miss nature of these rain events, both the NDAWN disease forecasting and the national risk model might be overestimating the risk for some of your fields,” the update explained.
For oats and barley reaching Feekes 10.5 (fully headed), and wheat reaching Feekes 10.51 (beginning of anthesis), a fungicide labeled for suppression of FHB is recommended. Premium fungicides are strongly encouraged for varieties rated susceptible or very susceptible to FHB.
“Choose one of the premium fungicide products when your variety has an FHB rating of susceptible to very susceptible (>6 or higher),” the update advised.
This may be the final disease and pest update for small grains this season unless conditions change significantly.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-ianchrisgraham
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Wheat, Weather