Update from the Field: Get a Head Start on Head Blight
Posted by David Dyson, Agronomist on May 30, 2018
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The recent wet weather is not only playing havoc on planting crops, the high moisture is fueling fungal spores that can damage existing crops. There are two main diseases to watch for right now: Fusarium head blight (or head scab) and Anthracnose.
Depending on the region, the wheat crop may be looking good, but the yield has not been made yet. Pollination is just starting and this is the prime time to spray a preventative fungicide treatment. Fusarium head blight or head scab can cause the head to produce no grain at the worst and at the least will produce mycotoxins in the head. If the mycotoxin level gets too high in the grain, the elevators will discount or deny the grain. The use of either Prosaro® by Bayer or Caramba® by BASF will greatly reduce the risk of Fusarium head blight. Stay away from strobilurin fungicides when applying to exposed wheat heads because they have been shown to increase the vomitoxin levels in grain if applied directly on the head. These fungicides have to be applied two to seven days after flowering begins (figure 1) to have the maximum effectiveness against Fusarium head blight. This application of fungicide will also help with leaf diseases that may be on the plant. An application of 1-2 gal/acre of Overpass® CF with your fungicide pass will provide needed nutrients to help increase protein and test weight.
Figure 1: This picture from Walton, IN shows a wheat head with the flowers open, an application of Caramba or Prosaro will help prevent head blight development.
Anthracnose is a disease people associate with later in the year, but this disease can be devastating to a young corn plant. Anthracnose leaf blight (figure 2) is characterized by oval-shaped spots on the leaf tissue with a dark brown or purplish border that are often surrounded by a yellowed zone. The application of Headline AMP® from BASF or Trivapro® from Syngenta will help wipe the disease off the plant. These fungicides can be applied with the herbicide and foliar fertilizer pass, reducing the number of trips across the field.
Figure 2: This picture from Purdue shows Anthracnose on a young corn plant.
In conclusion, the environment is right for these diseases in wheat and corn. Work with your local Ag Advisor to protect your yield potential by scouting fields and determining when and what type of fungicide to apply. To prevent Fusarium head blight in wheat, the fungicide has to be applied while the flower is open and being pollinated. Anthracnose can damage young corn plants and needs to be treated as soon as the disease is detected. Overpass CF can be combined with these products, reducing an application pass.
TAKEAWAY BULLETS
- The environment is right for disease
- Work with your local Ag Advisor to scout fields
- Determine what disease is affecting the crop
- Determine the appropriate fungicide and application timing
- Combine products to decrease trips across the field
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Dave Dyson is a regional agronomist for The Andersons’ Farm Centers which are located throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. He is an Indiana native and grew up on a dairy farm in Miami County. A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Crop & Soil Science, Dave has a deep knowledge of various agronomic topics and is committed to helping growers improve their crops. If you have any questions, Dave can be reached at david_dyson@andersonsinc.com.
Caramba and Headline AMP are registered trademarks of BASF. Prosaro is a registered trademark of Bayer. Trivapro is a registered trademark of Syngenta. Overpass is a registered trademark of The Andersons, Inc.
