[Fhb-update_ma] FHB Update from MD, 05/12/10

[fhb-update_ma at scabusa.org]

12 May 2010

The current risk level for scab is low. The recent development of scattered showers and the forecast for unsettled weather with the potential for thunderstorms and warmer conditions will stimulate the organism to develop a higher population of spores. However, this only means there will be more spores available to potentially infect wheat by early next week.  It takes about 5 to 7 days of favorable conditions to generate enough spores to have the potential to cause infection. There have been few if any available spores to disseminate this week. Therefore anything that has completed flowering or is flowering this week has little chance of infection at this time. However, stripe rust and leaf rust have been found and especially leaf rust appears to be prevalent but at low levels in many areas. Determine if you have rust resistance, and for rust susceptible varieties, scout for rust before making a final fungicide decision. Most wheat in the state has flowered or will be floweri
 ng by the end of the week. Most fungicide decisions need to be made by the end of this week. Only late planted fields in the northern part of the state may be the exception. There is no indication at this time that spraying for scab is needed anywhere in the state.

 --Arv Grybauskas, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Maryland

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