Nathan Kleczewski, Extension Specialist – Plant Pathology; nkleczew@udel.edu
We are participating in a USDA powdery mildew survey on wheat. The goal of this survey is to monitor wheat powdery mildew populations in the Mid-Atlantic for genetic changes that may allow them to overcome commonly used resistance genes incorporated in our wheat varieties. Results from this study will help breeders to develop varieties with better resistance to new populations of powdery mildew. We are looking for commercial fields with ANY powdery mildew that have not been sprayed with a fungicide. If you have any samples that we could use in this study please contact me at nkleczew@udel.edu or 302-300-6962. Thus far, the cool windy environment has not been favorable for early disease development in small grains and diseases in general are hard to come by.