Powdery Mildew and Septoria Spotted in Wheat Fields; Time to Scout for Fusarium

Contact: Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist
Tel: (417) 682-3579
E-mail: scheidtjk@missouri.edu

Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Barton County, scouted are fields on May 15 to prepare this week’s field scouting report.

“This week I spotted a lot of powdery mildew and septoria in area wheat fields,” said Scheidt.

Powdery mildew is identified by green to yellow specks on the leaves turning to white mold. Septoria is identified by yellow specks or streaks expanding to yellow to reddish-brown irregular shaped blotches with fruiting bodies

Scheidt said when these are seen on the flag leaf, apply a foliar fungicide, such as Tilt, before flowering and before the flag leaf is severely infected.

“It is not necessary to apply a fungicide unless disease is seen on the flag leaf. Fungicides do not increase yields; fungicides increase yield potential wheat has before a disease has occurred,” said Scheidt.

Fusarium head scab should be scouted for in fields. Fusarium is favored by moderate temperatures of 77-86 degrees, frequent rain, overcast days and high humidity; problems can be more severe if a rain occurs during flowering. Premature bleaching of the head as well as orangish-pink mold growth at the base of the spikelets are symptoms of fusarium.

If fusarium has infected wheat, it should be tested for mycotoxins before it is fed to non-ruminant animals. Caramba, Proline and Prosaro are recommended for fusarium head scab and should be applied at or just before flowering.

“A lot of weeds that usually emerge after corn or soybeans are in the ground, are already in fields now. These problematic weeds can be treated during a burndown spray by using tank mix partners such as sharpen, 2,4-D, dicamba, or metribusin with primary burndown herbicides like glyphosphate or parquet,” said Scheidt.

MORE INFORMATION

Helpful articles on funguses and fungicide ratings, late corn planting and burndown procedures can be found on the website at extension.missouri.edu or by calling the nearest county extension center.

The weekly field scouting report is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension and Barton County Extension.

For more information on this scouting report, or to learn how you can receive it a week earlier by telephone, contact the MU Extension Center in Barton County at (417) 682-3579.