Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist; bobmul@udel.edu
It is not too early to be thinking about scab on wheat. During the winter meetings we talked to some audiences about the relatively new scab prediction model that is available. The following is some information about the model and the site where it can be found.
The goal of this experimental predictive system is to help growers assess the risk of Fusarium head blight in their region. Major outbreaks of Fusarium head blight are associated with specific weather patterns prior to flowering of the wheat crop. Researchers at Penn State University, Ohio State University, Kansas State University, Purdue University, North Dakota State University, and South Dakota State University have worked together to developed models that predict the risk of a major epidemic (greater than 10% field severity) based on observed weather patterns. The website is http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/. The directions on the website are easy to follow; however, if you are going to use this tool to help predict the occurrence of scab and time any necessary applications for control, it is important that you start using the website several weeks before heading. Arv Grybauskas and I will be writing commentary for our region when the time is closer for potential scab infection. Remember that this predictive system is only a tool and should be used as such. The website has some good information on the limits of the risk assessment tool and how it should be used.
Prosaro and Caramba are two of the new fungicides that are labeled for suppression of Fusarium head blight or scab and should be considered if needed. More information on this prediction tool and control options will be covered in the next several weeks.