Gary Bergstrom, Extension Plant Pathologist, Cornell University
Although some winter wheat fields have yet to initiate flowering, the majority of the New York crop began to flower over the past several days. The application window in which reasonable FHB suppression can be expected from an application of Caramba, Prosaro, or Proline fungicide only extends to 5-6 days from the beginning of flowering (Feekes 10.5 in barley and Feekes 10.5.1 in wheat). So spray decisions should be completed soon. The Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/) has consistently projected a low risk of FHB infection through the flowering period in most portions of the state and continues to project low risk into the currently rainy but unseasonably cool period. Overall, foliar diseases have been of low severity. The first signs of leaf rust were observed this week and fungal leaf blotches are beginning to be found on leaves in the upper canopy; powdery mildew activity has resumed in some susceptible varieties.
