[Fhb-update_ma] FHB Update from MD, 05/04/15

[FHB Updates - Mid Atlantic SWW Region]

Now is the time to finalize plans for scab management in Maryland. Wheat is
beginning to head in southern Maryland and with warm weather will rapidly
progress. Wheat will begin to flower later this week in southern Maryland
and over the next two weeks enter the susceptible period from south to
north. Currently conditions are too dry for significant disease development
and fungicides are not required, but may change as thunderstorms and
rainfall comes through. Check this website as your wheat approaches
flowering to determine disease risk and whether or not there is a need for a
fungicide application. Note the model this year has a new feature that
incorporates varietal susceptibility. It can be changed in the Choose the
Model section of the risk map. If you are unsure of varietal susceptibility
go to www.scabsmart.org, click on the variety resistance section, and under
SRWW - Southern region and click on the Virginia FHB data. The Maryland 2014
link at this site is observational information under low disease pressure.
The Virginia link may not cover all of our varieties. In that case go to
www.psla.umd.edu/extension/md-crops and click on the link for small grains
and get the 2013 Head Blight Evaluation. Variety resistance is more easily
distinguished under higher disease pressure as in the 2013 MD evaluation and
the 2014 Virginia report.
Remember if risk is high and wheat is flowering to about 6 days after
flowering, a fungicide may be required to reduce toxin development in the
grain. The small window for fungicide application requires pre-planning to
be able to get effective suppression of the disease and of the toxin that
can develop in infected wheat. The recommended fungicides are Prosaro and
Caramba. Ground application must be made with nozzles facing forward (30 -
45 degrees forward) and traveling at least 6 mph to get adequate coverage of
the heads. Similarly for adequate coverage of the heads air applications
must be made at labeled volume rates.


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

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