Alyssa K. Betts, Extension Field Crops Pathologist; akoehler@udel.edu
It was a dry fall and a fairly cold winter, but small grains are finally growing. If you are considering use of a fungicide during the season, the Wheat Fungicide Efficacy Table has been updated for 2025 (Figure 1). These ratings are developed by the North Central Regional Committee on Management of Small Grain Diseases (NCERA-184) and summarize results from field-testing across numerous states over multiple years.
Figure 1. 2025 Wheat Fungicide Efficacy Ratings
https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/fungicide-efficacy-for-control-of-wheat-diseases
Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), caused by species of the fungus Fusarium, is typically the most important disease of small grains in our region. Last year we saw moderate to high disease pressure across the region. The weather over the next few weeks will determine how large our risk will be this year. The Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (www.wheatscab.psu.edu), a forecasting model that uses current and future weather forecasts to predict FHB risk, is now live for the season (Figure 2). Historically about 70% accurate, this tool aids in assessing FHB risk as wheat approaches flowering and fungicide application decisions are made. The pathogen that causes FHB infects through flowers and rainfall 7 to 10 days prior to small grain flowering favors spore production and increases risk of infection. Within the map you are able to look at predicted risk for the current day or 2, 4, or 6 days out. You can click to adjust anticipated susceptibility based on the hybrid planted. You can sign up to receive text and/or email alerts at https://scabusa.org/scripts/FHB_Alerts/
Figure 2. Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool screenshot of predicted risk from April 3, 2025, www.wheatscab.psu.edu