Fusarium head blight (FHB), also known as “scab”, is a disease of wheat that can cause both yield and quality losses. Symptoms of FHB appear as “bleached heads” or heads with both green and bleached areas. The fungus, Fusarium graminearum (a.k.a. Gibberella zeae) causes FHB of wheat and can cause Gibberella stalk and ear rot of corn. The fungus also produces the toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) that can contaminate grain, which can be a serious problem for millers. Weather is an extremely important factor involved in the development of FHB, especially from flowering through kernel development. Moderate temperatures (75 to 85°F), prolonged periods of high humidity, and prolonged wet periods favor FHB development.
Successfully managing FHB requires an integrated approach, where the use of resistant varieties, better crop sequences, and fungicides can limit losses due to FHB:
Resistant Varieties: Although no varieties are immune to FHB, some are more resistant than others. Dr. Fred Kolb’s wheat-breeding program at the University of Illinois has rated wheat varieties for FHB severity under high-pressure FHB environments over multiple years. These ratings are available on-line at the University of Illinois Variety Testing site, located in the “Small Grains” section (http://vt.cropsci.uiuc.edu).
Cropping Sequence: Because corn stubble can harbor the FHB fungus, wheat following soybean is at a lower risk of developing FHB than wheat following corn.
Foliar Fungicides: The use of a foliar fungicide is the only “in-season” option for control of FHB. Although fungicides are a good control option, losses will still occur on a highly susceptible variety sprayed with a fungicide in an environment conducive for FHB; therefore, it is always important to start off on the right foot and plant a variety with good resistance to FHB.
For the first time ever, multiple effective fungicide products will be available for use on wheat in 2009. These fungicides, which have good efficacy against FHB and some foliar diseases include: Caramba (BASF), Folicur (Bayer CropScience), Proline (Bayer CropScience) and Prosaro (Bayer CropScience).
For control of FHB, fungicides should be applied at Feeke’s growth stage 10.5.1 (early anthesis). It is also important to spray with nozzles oriented to spray forward, which helps coverage of the wheat head. In the past, recommendations were to use nozzles that sprayed both forward and backward; however, recent research out of North Dakota State University has shown that “forward-facing” nozzles may be all that are needed.
Fungicides that contain an active ingredient in the “strobilurin” class should NEVER be applied to control FHB. This includes products like Headline, Quadris, Quilt, and Stratego. Research has shown that strobilurin fungicides can actually increase DON levels in harvested grain. These strobilurin products are very good at controlling foliar diseases of wheat, and if used, should be applied earlier in the season (around Feekes 8 – flag leaf emergence).
Forecasting System for FHB. To help with fungicide application decisions, an FHB forecasting system is available. The Fusarium Head Blight Risk Assessment Tool is available on-line at www.wheatscab.psu.edu. A “risk map” is available that allows you to see what your risk of FHB is throughout Illinois. This risk is based on weather conditions that have occurred.
Carl A. Bradley
Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology / Extension Specialist
University of ILlinois - Department of Crop Sciences
Urbana, IL 61801
217-244-7415
