Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist; bobmul@udel.edu
Wheat harvest has begun. I saw a few combines in the field on Wednesday, June 24. Grain quality may be an issue in some areas, especially if no fungicides were applied. Some sooty mold can be found on weather damaged wheat and barley. They are superficial dark fungi that discolor the heads but do little to reduce test weight or yield. That has already occurred before they infect the heads. Heading applications of fungicides, especially the strobilurins, will eliminate them or greatly reduce them – which also translates into good straw quality as well.
Sooty mold on wheat heads