Following last week’s rain, the risk for Fusarium head blight, or scab, infections has increased, and the risk is very high even for moderately resistant varieties in certain portions of Virginia.

Much of the wheat crop is beyond the early flowering stage, but for fields where wheat is currently flowering a fungicide may be needed to protect the crop from FHB infection and DON contamination.

Recommended fungicides include Caramba, Prosaro, and Proline. Fungicides are most effective when applied at the start of flowering and up to a week later.

The greatest coverage of the heads can be achieved by applying fungicides in five gallons per acre by air and 15 gallons per acre by ground with a 300-350 um droplet size and nozzles angled forward at least 30 degrees.