Small Grain Diseases

Diseases of small grains—Alyssa Collins, Director SE Ag Research & Extension Center

Compared to last year’s spring, we have had quite a soaker in 2011, resulting in near perfect conditions for the development of several grain diseases.  We can expect to see plenty of leaf spots, glume blotch and very likely head scab as the wheat and barley come to maturity. 

In last year’s on-farm wheat fungicide trials we examined the levels of control provided by some of the more popular products in combination and at various timings.  We looked at the relative efficacy of a strobilurin product and two combination strobilurin/triazole products at an early timing (Feekes 5, before jointing), a late timing (Feekes 9-10, boot), and application at both times.  In 2010, all treatments that included a late-applied fungicide yielded significantly better and had less leaf disease severity than the untreated control and the early-applied treatments (Table 1).

This year’s on-farm trials included products that have activity on head scab as well as products for leaf diseases.  Ratings are being conducted currently to observe the efficacy and yield impacts of the use of these products in the high disease pressure conditions that we have experienced in 2011.
(Click on table below to open a larger version in a separate window)