[Fhb-update_ma] FHB Update from MD, 04/21/19

[FHB Updates - Mid Atlantic SWW Region]

Welcome to the FHB risk assessment for Maryland. This is our first
commentary for this season, and they will be posted regularly throughout the
small grain season from here on. Hopefully, you selected a resistant wheat
variety for your planting this year after referring to the University of
Maryland’s FHB evaluation of wheat varieties
(https://psla.umd.edu/extension/extension-project-pages/small-grains-maryland).
A good start goes a long way in managing FHB. 
Wheat in the Eastern shore of Maryland is either at jointing or booting
stage and should be heading out in a week or so. Barley, however, is at
heading or will be soon heading in this part of the state. It is important
to note that the correct stage for spraying fungicides on wheat is at
flowering (when the yellow anthers start to show on the heads), whereas on
barley it is at heading (when the heads emerge out of the boots). Even with
some intermittent showers, the FHB risk is currently predicted to be low
across the state. However, with the rain forecast for this week, the risk
may soon escalate. The right fungicides for FHB are Prosaro, Miravis-Ace or
Caramba at the right stage of the crop. Fungicides containing strobilurin
should not be applied for control of FHB, as in multiple university research
trials, strobilurin fungicides have been shown to increase DON levels in
grain. Up in the north in Frederick, Harford and nearby counties, wheat
plants are starting to joint, and are not at a stage prone for FHB. 



--Nidhi Rawat, Small grains 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 https://www.scabusa.org