Farms.com Home   Expert Commentary

The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction System Is Active

May 25, 2017
By Emmanuel Byamukama
SDSU Extension Plant Pathologist
 
Winter wheat is starting to head. It is important to monitor weather conditions from when wheat is heading until flowering to decide the need for fungicide application to manage Fusarium head blight (FHB). Wheat is most susceptible to FHB around the flowering growth stage because the fungal pathogen that causes it infects wheat through the flower. Rainfall during wheat heading through post flowering is the main risk factor for FHB.
 
Online FHB Management Tools
 
There are two tools in place to help producers, crop consultants, and agronomists gauge the risk for FHB and decide on the need for a triazole fungicide application for scab management. Both tools use weather information (rainfall and temperature) to predict the risk for scab.
 
National Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center
 
The National Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center is an online tool that estimates the likelihood of FHB to develop in wheat and provides an output in form of a map (Figure 1). The prediction webpage first shows a regional view and for the most recent date. The user can then select a state (South Dakota) and can then zoom in to their location. A user is also able to click on an individual weather station near their growing area and find the specific FHB prediction for that area. There is also a choice of whether the crop is winter or spring wheat as well as the level of FHB susceptibility of the cultivar planted. If wheat flowering is anticipated in the next few days (24, 48 or 72 hours), the model uses weather forecast to predict the scab risk. A yellow color means the risk for scab development is moderate and a red color means the risk is high. When the scab risk is moderate or high, growers should plan a triazole fungicide treatment in the short window around flowering (within 3 days of flowering).
 
SDSU Climate & Weather Center
 
The second scab prediction tool is hosted by the SDSU Climate and Weather Center. This tool provides prediction for fungal leaf spot diseases as well. Unlike the National Scab Prediction tool, the results of the FHB prediction are displayed in a table form as opposed to a map for each location that is selected (Figure 2). The tool was deployed two years ago in collaboration with NDSU. The interpretation for this tool is similar to the national scab one. Yellow and red mean the risk is moderate to high, while green indicates a low risk for scab. 
 
 
 
Click here to see more...