[Fhb-update_cgp] FHB Update from OK, 03/25/11

[FHB Update - Central GP, Hard Winter Wheat]

Oklahoma Wheat Disease Update – 25 March 2011
Bob Hunger, Extension Wheat Pathologist
Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
Oklahoma State University

Over the last week I have examined trials and plots around Stillwater several times.  Although the wheat appears to be in good condition, soil moisture is quickly being depleted.  Most of the wheat I examined was close to GS 7.  The biggest difference I saw in the wheat yesterday around Stillwater was a slight increase in the level of powdery mildew, but only on the lowest leaves in thick wheat.  There also perhaps was a slight increase in leaf rust, but nothing striking.  Barley yellow dwarf (BYD) also is present in earlier planted wheat, and aphids (greenbugs and bird cherry-oat aphids) could be found in some areas.  Yesterday I and Brian Olson visited wheat near Marshall (about 30 miles west of Stillwater) and at Lahoma (about 10 miles west of Enid).  We saw no powdery mildew, rust, or any disease other than symptoms indicative of wheat soilborne mosaic/wheat spindle streak mosaic and BYD.  Wheat in this area was mostly around GS 6 and looked green, healthy, but with the n
 eed for moisture coming quickly.  Roger Gribble (Area Ext Agron Spec, NW District) confirmed that in his area he has seen only WSBM/WSSM and BYD.   Drought conditions are worse in western and southwestern OK with no samples coming from those areas to our diagnostic lab so far this spring.

 --Bob Hunger, Extension Plant Pathologist, Oklahoma State University

 For more details, go to the FHB Risk Assessment Tool at http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2011.html