The risk for Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab in winter wheat remains low throughout South Dakota. This is because of the dry weather conditions we are currently experiencing. A big portion of northeast part of the state is either abnormally dry or up to D2 (severe drought) drought category. Most of the winter wheat is done flowering and since the risk for scab is increased by wet and humid weather 15 days prior and during flowering, these fields have a low chance of getting FHB, should the weather conditions change. For fields not yet at flowering, growers are encouraged to keep checking on the FHB prediction tool, and plan a triazole fungicide at flowering growth stage if the risk for scab changes to moderate or high.

 

–Emmanuel Byamukama, Extension Plant Pathologist , South Dakota 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