MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:
Wheat Grower Update 10.5.21
Fusarium head blight (FHB, commonly referred to as scab) is primarily caused by the Fusarium graminearum fungus. This fungus causes shriveled and poorly filled grain that will often have a pink tinge. The result is reduced yields and test weight. The pathogen also produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), which is toxic to animals and humans and therefore can cause grain rejection at the elevator. Scab has been a major problem in wheat over the past several years. Proper management of FHB is CRITICAL if you plan to sell your wheat to a grain elevator as they are actively testing for several quality attributes including the presence of DON. If DON is present in your wheat, buyers will not take it!
Below you will find some management tips that can reduce your chance of having DON in your wheat:
- Use a fungicide on all varieties! Remember, corn carries FHB in the stover. Apply an approved fungicide (tebuconazole or propicanazole) at flag leaf.
- Plan to Spray for FHB at full flowering (or 3 to 5 days after) to control scab (Miravis Ace SE or Prosaro will help decrease DON levels.
If you have any questions, please give us a call!
GA Office: 229-734-5466
SC Office: 803-531-1777
