News

Wet spring raises wheat head scab concerns

Recent rains have increased the possibility of diseases in the winter wheat crop.

Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, assistant professor at the University of Illinois, says head scab (or Fusarium Head Blight) is the biggest threat.

“It infects mostly at flowering or shortly after that.”  She says, “The major losses that it causes is due to the formation of the vomitoxin, and in addition to that, it can reduce the test weight.” 

She tells Brownfield fields that did not receive a fungicide treatment are at the greatest risk.

“People that have applied fungicides at flowering have probably already done that by now because the crop has passed flowering in probably most parts of the state.”  She says, “If you’re planting those moderately resistant varieties and applying the fungicide, you know, you’re setting yourself up for success.”

Rutkoski says not much can be done once an infection sets in.

“The other part of it is sometimes you can have plenty of scab, but you don’t see the visual symptoms, so it’s not something you can really manage too much after the fact.”  She says, “But you know it’s definitely worth taking a look and kind of see what you might expect come harvest time.”

Rutkoski says she doesn’t expect extremely high levels of the disease, but producers should be aware of the possibility. 

This week’s USDA crop conditions report rated 77 percent of Illinois’ wheat crop in good to excellent condition.

AUDIO: Dr. Jessica Rutkoski – assistant professor & small grains breeder at University of Illinois