By Amanda Easterly and Stephen Wegulo et.al
As Nebraska’s wheat crop enters the critical flowering stage, experts are urging growers — particularly in the Panhandle and western regions — to stay vigilant for signs of Fusarium head blight (FHB), also known as scab.
Dr. Stephen Wegulo, small grains extension plant pathologist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, points to recent rainfall events and their timing relative to crop development as major contributors to increased risk.
“Heavy and continuous rainfall before and during flowering poses the highest risk, especially where cereal stubble remains on the soil surface,” Wegulo said.
He recently recommended a fungicide application for a field in Grant following significant precipitation and observed that a nearby trial site was flowering and at heightened risk.
However, Wegulo cautions that fungicide decisions must take economics into account.
Source : unl.edu