Stephen Wegulo - Extension Plant Pathologist

Stephen Wegulo

faculty

Professor Plant Pathology University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Work Plant Sciences Hall (PLSH) 406H

Lincoln NE 68583-0722

Work 402-472-8735 On campus, dial 2-8735

swegulo2@unl.edu

vCard QR Code

Faculty Bio
Website: Wheat Disease section of CropWatch Plant Disease Management
Twitter: @wegulo2

Dead or dying wheat flag leaves due to stripe rust

Stripe Rust Predominant Disease in Nebraska Wheat May 26, 2017

In a survey of wheat fields and research plots in south central and southeast Nebraska on May 24-25, stripe rust was the predominant fungal disease found. Its increase is due to the rainfall and cool temperatures that have prevailed during the last two weeks.

Figure 1. Severe stripe rust in a wheat field in south-central Nebraska May 24. (Photo by Stephen Wegulo)

Stripe Rust Increasing in Nebraska Wheat May 25, 2017

Recent rainfall and cool temperatures have favored development of stripe rust to severe levels on flag leaves in fields that have not been sprayed as shown in Figure 1, a photo taken Wednesday, May 24, in a grower’s field in Webster County in south-central Nebraska.

Irrigated wheat field — Figure 1. An irrigated field in Box Butte County on May 16.

Wheat Disease Update: Wheat Streak Mosaic May 19, 2017

A survey of wheat fields in the Nebraska Panhandle found only trace levels of stripe rust and low levels of tan spot, but widespread areas of wheat streak mosaic virus with severity ranging from mild to severe.

Wheat field near Mead, May 2017 — Figure 1. State Variety Trial for wheat at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead on May 11.

Wheat Disease Update in Eastern Nebraska May 12, 2017

Research plots at UNL’s Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) were surveyed for diseases on May 12. These plots are not sprayed with fungicide and therefore the diseases and disease levels in them can be representative of those in growers’ fields under similar conditions. Here's what we found.

Wheat field — Figure 1. A lush green grower’s wheat field in Jefferson County on May 5.

Wheat Update: Leaf Rust Confirmed, Stripe Rust Widespread But at Low Levels May 8, 2017

Because of the presence of stripe rust and leaf rust in the state, as well as increasing incidence and severity of Septoria leaf blotch and tan spot, growers are encouraged to be vigilant in scouting their fields.

Wheat field April 27, 2017 — Figure 1. A section of a wheat field showing lush green growth at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (ARDC) near Mead on April 27.

Stripe Rust Confirmed in Wheat in South Central and Southeast Nebraska; Other Diseases Increasing April 28, 2017

Wheat fields are still looking green (Figure 1). However, development of several diseases is increasing. On April 26, stripe rust was confirmed in Nuckolls County in south central Nebraska and on April 27, it was found at low to moderate levels in research plots at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Havelock Research Farm near Lincoln in Lancaster County (Figure 2).

Field of wheat near McCook April 27, 2017. — A good, thick stand of wheat, such as this one near McCook provides a warmer microclimate near the soil surface that reduces the potential for freeze injury. (Photos by Robert Klein)

Assessing Freeze Injury to Wheat April 27, 2017

As temperatures dropped below 28° F at a number of sites this week, the authors address how to assess whether freeze damage has occurred.

Wheat stripe rust — Figure 1. Stripe rust was found this week in wheat fields in two Nebraska counties ― Sheridan and Box Butte ― and growers are urged to scout fields regularly.