University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Figure 1. Stripe rust on a flag leaf in a Fusarium head blight breeding nursery near Mead, June 9.
Figure 2. Leaf rust on a flag leaf in a grower’s field near Waverly, June 9.

Wheat rust update: Stripe rust found in Nebraska

On June 9, stripe rust was observed for the first time this year in Nebraska. It was developing on flag leaves (Figure 1) in a Fusarium head blight (scab) breeding nursery near Mead. Severity of the rust was very low, estimated at less than 1%. The nursery was under heavy overhead sprinkler irrigation from mid May to early June. Due to the current dry conditions and warm temperatures, development of stripe rust is unlikely in dryland wheat, and even if it did develop, its impact on yield would be minimal given that harvesting will begin in just three to four weeks. Stripe rust has not been observed in western Nebraska.

Leaf rust (Figure 2) has occurred mostly in central and eastern Nebraska and in irrigated wheat in southwestern Nebraska. On flag leaves severities of up to 15-25% have been observed in eastern Nebraska. Dry conditions over the last two weeks slowed development of leaf rust. Its impact on yield this year is likely to be minimal.

Stephen Wegulo
Extension Plant Pathologist, Lincoln

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