From Gary Bergstrom, Extension Plant Pathologist, Cornell University
Generally dry conditions over the past 10 days, when most winter cereals initiated flowering in New York State, have resulted in a low forecast risk of Fusarium head blight epidemics. However, general rains on May 30 and 31 with a forecast for more rain on June 1 may change the risk predictions for late flowering fields. Check the Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/) and your local weather forecast frequently. The triazole products Caramba and Prosaro are the most effective fungicides for suppression of FHB and deoxynivalenol (DON) toxin contamination when applied at wheat flowering (emergence of anthers on heads) or at full head emergence in barley (anthers begin to appear on barley before heads emerge from the boot). There is an application window of approximately 6 days from the beginning of flowering in which reasonable FHB suppression can be expected. Fungicide products containing strobilurins should not be applied to headed wheat or barley as they may result in increased levels of DON in grain. Leaf rust has been observed on wheat in northwestern New York and should be expected in other parts of the state as well. Triazole applications at flowering should provide adequate protection against early developing rust, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf blotches on flag leaves.
Receive FHB Alerts by Cell Phone:
I will be providing weekly New York commentaries on FHB risk through June. You can subscribe to receive FHB Alerts directly to your Cell Phone (http://scabusa.org/fhb_alert.php). You can select to receive alerts as 1) Text Message Alerts, 2) Email Alerts, or 3) both Text and Email Alerts. To receive alerts for New York, select the Northern Soft Winter Wheat option which provides alerts for MI, NY, WI and VT.
