Low Occurrences of Disease in Wheat and Barley (06/18/20)
The IPM scouts visited over 100 wheat fields last week and reported very few diseases. Tan spot was the most frequently found disease but was only reported in approximately 10% of the fields. The highest levels of tan spot severity were found in wheat on wheat production systems. Similarly, fungal leaf spots (net blotch and spot blotch) were reported in approximately 10% of the barley fields surveyed. Sporadic rain, high temperatures and strong winds have prevented morning dews, which are key for fungal growth and infection, leading to the development of fungal leaf spots. Most photos I have received of damaged small grain leaves indicate that the leaf spots have been caused by wind damage, heat stress, and other abiotic (non-living) stressors (Figure 1).
Extension Plant Pathology, Cereal Crops
