[Fhb-update_ma] FHB Update from VA, 05/06/10

[wheat at essc.psu.edu]

6 May 2010:  Due to recent high temperatures, windy conditions, lack of rainfall, and the preponderance of the Commonwealth’s wheat crop at anthesis and in some cases beyond it unlikely that fusarium head blight will be an issue. In some cases small grains may be flowering later than usual this year due to late planting, the risk of head blight IF there is timely rain may be somewhat increased.  This is because later flowering means higher temperatures, which favor head blight.  Most Virginia wheat was flowering the last week of April or the first week of May.  April has been mostly dry with low humidity, so recent conditions have not been favorable for head blight development.  If your wheat cultivars have not yet flowered and are susceptible or moderately susceptible, check your scab risk at this site often in the next 2 weeks.

 --Erik Stromberg, Extension Plant Pathologist, Virginia Tech

 For more details, go to the FHB Risk Assessment Tool at http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2010.html