Now is the time to make a critical fungicide spray decision on winter malting barley. Winter barley in New York has either reached full head emergence or will do so in the next few days The Fusarium Risk Assessment Map (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu) currently indicates a low risk of Fusarium head blight (FHB) across the state, but this could change with rain showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. Maximal suppression of FHB and grain contamination by deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin results when fully emerged heads of winter malting barley are sprayed with DMI (FRAC Group 3) containing fungicides Caramba, Prosaro, or Miravis Ace (latter includes FRAC Group 7 fungicide). A heads-emerged spray with these fungicides also protects upper leaves against fungal leaf blotches, powdery mildew, and rusts. Foliar sprays of any of these three products up to seven days after head emergence may still result in significant FHB and DON suppression.

Winter wheat development in New York ranges from flag leaf just visible to boot stage and is expected to initiate flowering over the next two weeks; the crop is further ahead in the Hudson Valley than in western New York. The DMI (FRAC Group 3) containing fungicides Caramba, Prosaro, or Miravis Ace (latter includes a FRAC Group 7 fungicide) are the most effective fungicides for suppression of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin contamination when applied at flowering (emergence of yellow anthers on heads). A flowering application of these fungicide products should be based on FHB risk as well as the risks of powdery mildew, rusts, and fungal leaf blotches in the upper canopy based on scouting of individual fields. There is an application window of approximately 7 days from the beginning of flowering in which reasonable FHB and DON suppression can be expected. Check the Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu) and your local weather forecast frequently as your winter wheat crop approaches heading and flowering.

--Gary Bergstrom, Extension Plant Pathologist, Cornell University

Wheat growers in southern PA should watch their crops closely for heading and flowering heading into the weekend, when very susceptible varieties will be at high risk for scab infection. If you choose to spray, target your wheat crop at early flowering. Caramba, Prosaro and Miravis Ace give good control of most leaf and head diseases, in addition to suppressing scab. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30° down from horizontal, toward the grain heads, using forward- and backward mounted nozzles or nozzles with a two directional spray, such as Twinjet nozzles. Continue to visit wheatscab.psu.edu to use the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center, as your fields begin to flower.

--Alyssa A. Collins, Associate Professor, Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University

With the recent showers and warming weather, FHB risk in the state is increasing. Wheat in the Eastern Shore of Maryland has finished or is just finishing flowering. If your wheat has just flowered last week, and you have not sprayed FHB fungicides you can still do so, as fungicide application 4-6 days after flowering is also known to provide some control. Wheat in the Northern parts is either flowering/ will soon start flowering. The FHB risk for this part of the state (Frederick, Carroll and Harford counties) is predicted to be moderate to high, especially if the wheat variety planted is susceptible. If the planted variety is resistant, the risk is not predicted to be particularly high. The recommended stage for application of fungicides on wheat is at flowering (50% of the main tillers showing yellow anthers) or within 4-5 days of that. The fungicides effective for FHB are Prosaro-pro/ Caramba/ Miravis-Ace. These fungicides do not need to be tank-mixed with another product for spr aying. The fungicide products should be applied at the full rate recommended by the manufacturers. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be sprayed at this stage.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland

In Illinois, wheat will start flowering within the next few days in much of the state. We are currently experiencing temperatures in the 90s after a long period of cool wet weather. Due to these temperature swings, it may be harder than usual to predict when flowering will begin. Wheat fields should be monitored every other day for flowering and a fungicide should be applied when most of the heads are at the early flowering stage or as soon as possible afterward.

--Jessica Rutkoski, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Depending on the location and the variety maturity, wheat in Kentucky is at Feekes growth stage 10.51 (early anthesis) or beyond. Most wheat fields in the most southern areas of Kentucky would likely have been at Feekes 10.51 last week or before. Many wheat fields that are closer to southern Indiana or southern Illinois would likely be at the Feekes 10.51 stage now or soon will be. For most of the state, FHB risk is low, but there are some areas that show medium to high risk. Many of these areas showing risk are those in which wheat likely was at Feekes 10.51 last week. The risk is likely due to weather that was received last week (rainy and cooler conditions). Within the next few days, the risk map model will likely account for the very hot and sunny days that currently are occurring, which will reduce the risk of FHB greatly.

--Dr. Carl A. Bradley, Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

Wheat in much of central and eastern Kansas will be heading and flowering this week. These growth stages are vulnerable to Fusarium infection. Dry soil conditions are the dominate factor affecting wheat in central Kansas. However, some areas of eastern Kansas have received more rain this spring. The disease models are now showing moderate and high risk in the eastern portions of the state. This period of risk is a little out of sync with the crop since most wheat in this region of the state likely flowered a 4-7 days ago. Growers in this area should take a closer look at the situation as fungicide applications may be warranted where yield potential is reasonable. Seed production fields would be a top priority.

--Erick DeWolf, Plant Pathologist, Kansas State University

The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center estimates disease risk for wheat and barley.

Wheat in KS, MO, IL, IN is now at or approaching growth stages that are vulnerable to Fusarium infection. There are some areas of moderate and high risk in these states. Growers in these areas should be watching weather for additional periods of humid, rainy weather that could stimulate disease.

Tips of using the tool: The tool shows the disease risk for susceptible wheat varieties for today’s date. You can select earlier assessment dates by clicking on the calendar menu at the top of the risk map. The risk maps based on 2, 4 or 6 days of forecasted weather are accessed by selecting the buttons to the right of the date selection menu. Use the menu button on the upper left corner of the map to active risk maps for wheat varieties with other levels of genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight.

Please note that the colors showing the different levels of disease risk changed this year. The lowest level of disease risk is now represented as yellow on the risk map. Moderate and high levels of risk are represented orange and red, respectively.

--Erick DeWolf, Plant Pathologist, Kansas State University

Wheat is currently flowering on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Growers with susceptible varieties planted are advised to spray head scab fungicides (Prosaro/ Caramba/ Miravis-Ace). However, if your planted wheat variety is resistant, the predicted risk for FHB is not high, so you can skip using the FHB fungicide application. Please note that if you are concerned about other fungal diseases like powdery mildew in your crop, you should still opt for the FHB fungicides at this stage. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be sprayed at this stage. These fungicides do not need to be tank-mixed with another product for spraying. The fungicide products should be applied at the full rate recommended by the manufacturers. In the Northern counties, we are still around a week away from flowering.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland

Head scab risk has been low across Michigan, likely driven by the exceptionally dry conditions experienced across most of the state. Flowering in our head scab trials in central Michigan (East Lansing) began May 27th. It should be remembered that best fungicide timing for head scab control occurs from flowering (10.5.1) through seven days post the beginning of flowering. Fungicides applied at this time will also assist with protection of the flag leaf and foliage from late season diseases.

--Martin Chilvers, Associate Professor, Field Crop Pathology, Michigan State University

'Wheat in the Eastern Shore and the Southern part of the state is flowering (yellow anthers showing up on the heads) currently. Hopefully, you did not select a highly susceptible variety to begin with, as the FHB risk is increasing for such varieties. Growers with highly susceptible wheat varieties planted and having their wheat flowering, are advised to spray head scab fungicides (Prosaro/ Caramba/ Miravis-Ace). However, if you planted an FHB resistant variety, the head scab risk is predicted low currently. Powdery mildew is being observed across several fields this year, depending upon the planted variety. If you see high levels of powdery mildew on flag leaves and heads do not spray strobilurin containing fungicides, instead opt for FHB fungicides, as these control all fungal diseases. In the Northern counties, we are still around 7-10 days away from flowering.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland