Stephen Wegulo - Extension Plant Pathologist

Stephen Wegulo

faculty
Work Plant Sciences Hall (PLSH) 406H
Lincoln NE 68583-0722
US
Work 402-472-8735 On campus, dial 2-8735

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

Severe wheat streak mosaic
Figure 1. Severe wheat streak mosaic in a grower’s field in Jefferson County on June 1. (Photo by Stephen Wegulo)

Protect Future Wheat Yields: Control the Volunteer Green Bridge

August 2, 2017
Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) problems have been extensive throughout the western Great Plains this year, significantly reducing the yield potential of many fields. A critical key in managing this threat in the next crop is elimination of volunteer wheat. Tillage or chemical weed control should occur at least one month before planting to allow host plants time to dry up and cease being a host.

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Bunted wheat and loose smut of wheat.
Figure 1 (left). Bunted wheat grain containing spore masses of the stinking smut fungi. Figure 2 (right). Loose smut on a wheat head.

The Importance of Certified, Fungicide-Treated Wheat Seed

July 31, 2017
Planting clean, certified, fungicide-treated wheat seed is one of the first steps in assuring top yields from your 2018 wheat crop. Another is selecting resistant varieties, where available. Together these practices can help you more effectively manage seed-transmitted diseases of wheat.

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Figure 1.  A stripe rust susceptible (left) and resistant variety in a state variety trial in southeast Nebraska on June 3.
Figure 1. A stripe rust susceptible (left) and resistant variety in a state variety trial in southeast Nebraska on June 3.

2017 Stripe Rust Ratings from Eastern Nebraska Wheat Variety Trials

July 14, 2017
This year the onset of stripe rust was earlier in eastern Nebraska than in western Nebraska, allowing it to develop to levels that could be scored in state variety trials in Washington, Saunders, and Clay counties. A table provides ratings for a number of varieties and lines at three sites.

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Wheat streak mosaic virus in wheat
Severe wheat streak mosaic virus in a wheat field in Deuel County on May 15, 2017. (Photo by Stephen Wegulo)

Why Control of Volunteer Wheat is Critical to Protecting 2018 Yields

July 13, 2017
Timely control of volunteer wheat and other weeds is key to managing yield loss risk in your 2018 crop. Yield-limiting risk factors affected by weed control include wheat streak mosaic and other diseases, insects (wheat stem sawfly and disease vectors), moisture loss, and increased weed seed production.

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Wheat Field Day
Figure 1. A Wheat Field Day in a grower’s field in Washington County on June 6.

Wheat Disease Update: Stripe Rust, Leaf Rust, Wheat Streak Mosaic at High Levels

June 9, 2017
A survey of fields in south central, southeast, and northeast Nebraska shows wheat diseases increasing in severity and occurrence. Stripe rust and leaf rust have developed to severe levels in fields plant with susceptible varieties that weren't sprayed to protect the flag leaf.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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