Fusarium Head Blight Update – June 11

Currently, wheat is still ranging from early heading to well past flowering growth stages around the state. We are still receiving questions regarding disease management decisions, especially if we should be concerned for Fusarium head blight. Recall the critical period for infection by the pathogen that causes FHB (Fusarium graminearum) is during flowering and requires warm and humid conditions (i.e., moisture). This period lasts approximately 7 days.

To look at the current risk, I examined the FHB forecast from Penn State (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu) for June 11 and it shows a low risk across the state (green color = low risk; yellow = medium risk; red = high risk). Also, examining the 24-48 hour forecast risk map, Wisconsin remains at a low risk for FHB.

June 11, 2009 risk map:

1-day forecast map:

2-day forecast map: