As of Monday, wheat in much of the Mid-Atlantic has been rated by the national Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center to be at severe risk of fusarium head blight, warns Nathan Kleczewski, Extension field crop plant pathologist at University of Delaware. Rain has pushed a large portion of the region to the severe level for FHB if that wheat is currently flowering.

Most of the Mid-Atlantic’s wheat started to flower late last week and is at elevated risk for FHB, especially if a susceptible variety was planted, says Kleczewski. Growers with wheat flowering at this time are advised to make a fungicide application of Caramba, Prosaro or Proline.

Applications are most effective when applied from the start of flowering. Apply at 5 gallons per acre by air or 15 gallons per acre by ground for best results. He recommends a 300- to 350-micron droplet size, with nozzles at least angled forward 30 degrees.

Wheat not yet flowering is not yet at risk. Kleczewski advises producers to continue checking wheat and this page for updates.

Source: University of Delaware