[Fhb-update_ma] FHB Update from PA, 04/22/19

[FHB Updates - Mid Atlantic SWW Region]

Wheat and barley crops now range from tillering to Feekes 7 in most fields
of Pennsylvania. Currently, PA is at a “low” risk of scab development
because it has been too cool, and now we are entering a period of relative
dryness.
While the wheat in PA is too young to worry about scab right now, those of
you wishing to apply a fungicide along with your growth regulator spray or
any topdressing should scout for powdery mildew before doing so. We
generally recommend only spraying for this disease if 5-10% of the fully
expanded upper leaves are infected, and because it has been rather dry, your
wheat may not meet this threshold. Scout your most densely planted areas
first—these are the most likely to show signs of powdery mildew.
As the crop approaches heading, visit wheatscab.psu.edu to use the Fusarium
Head Blight Prediction Center. This forecasting tool tends to function best
on the free Mozilla Firefox browser. If you are experiencing trouble with
the forecast, visit in late morning when the tool fully updates. You can
also sign up to have this commentary delivered to you via text or e-mail at
scabusa.org/fhb_alerts . 


--Alyssa Collins, Extension Field Crops Pathologist, Penn 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 https://www.scabusa.org