[Fhb-update_cgp] FHB Update from OK, 06/12/15

[FHB Update - Central GP, Hard Winter Wheat]

Harvest is well underway in Oklahoma with a report this morning indicating
17% of the crop has been harvested. Hence, diseases are no longer in the
forefront except for the possibility of head scab. I had several calls in
late April and May (especially from northeastern and east-central OK)
related to concerns about head scab this year. Now that harvest is
commencing, a few additional calls have come in describing “tombstones”
(white, chalky wheat kernels) or pinkish colored wheat grains in harvested
wheat. In fact, I found an occasional pinkish kernel in grain from my
fungicide trial, but no more than one kernel in thousands.
 I would call your attention to two publications from OSU on head scab and
vomitoxin. These are PSS-2145 [Fusarium Head Blight (Head Scab) of Wheat:
Questions and Answers], which Dr. Jeff Edwards and I updated in 2013. Many
of the most common questions pertaining to head scab and associated
mycotoxins can be found there. PSS 2136 (Considerations When Rotating Wheat
behind Corn) is a related fact sheet focusing more on potential problems
that can arise when wheat is planted into corn stubble. Both can be accessed
at: 
http://osufacts.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/HomePage
Once at this site, simply type in the fact sheet indicators (PSS-2145;
PSS-2136) into the search box toward the upper right of the screen.
 I also have been asked about testing for vomitoxin (the most common toxin
associated with head scab). The Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at
Oklahoma State University does accept samples to test for mycotoxins. These
samples are sent to a lab at South Dakota State University that has
expertise in mycotoxin testing. I also was asked about the availability of
commercial kits for testing that can be done on-farm. There are many
commercial tests available – both qualitative tests that will give a
“present” or “not present” indication, and quantitative tests that
provide a level of toxin present. Most of these kits are advertised as
“easy to use,” but I have not had experience with any of them. I did
find a link
(http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/metheqp/GIPSA_Approved_Mycotoxin_Rapid_Test_Kits.pdf)
that describes these kits and their specific uses. This link is to GIPSA
(Grain Inspection, Packer and Stockyards Administration), which is a unit in
the USDA so it should be non-biased. This link should be of use if you are
searching for kits to test for a mycotoxin such as vomitoxin. Be aware that
this link provides a description for kits that are used for more mycotoxins
than just vomitoxin, whose more scientific name is deoxynivalenol (DON).


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

For more details, go to the FHB Risk assessment tool at
http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu

For the latest news and updates from the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab
Initiative, go to http://www.scabusa.org