Wheat Disease

Stinking smut (left) and loose smut of winter wheat
Fungal diseases of wheat include stinking smut (left, Figure 1) and loose smut (right, Figure 2). (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Should I Plant Treated Wheat Seed?

August 29, 2018
Using clean, certified, treated winter wheat seed optimizes the chances of obtaining high yields. Seed-transmitted diseases and fall insects can reduce grain yield as well as quality next summer.

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Inforgraphic showing how one field can serve as a green bridge for wheat curl mite and multiple viruses to a neighbor's field.

Stopping the Spread of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus

August 20, 2018
For wheat growers, one aspect of being a good neighbor is controlling volunteer wheat after harvest to stop wheat curl mites from moving into the new crop of wheat and transmitting viruses, particularly wheat streak mosaic virus. Volunteer wheat should be controlled in time to provide a two-week break in the green bridge.

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Photos of two very different eastern Nebraska wheat fields
Figure 1. Photos of both of these eastern Nebraska wheat fields were taken June 16, 2018 and show the contrast between wheat grown in Thayer County (left) in southeast Nebraska where precipitation was much below normal and a field in Washington County in east central Nebraska where there was sufficient soil mosture throughout the season. (Photos by Brad Heinrichs (left) and Nathan Mueller)

Recap of 2017-18 Eastern Nebraska Winter Wheat Crop

July 25, 2018
Winter wheat yields in eastern Nebraska were quite variable in 2018, ranging from 10 to 80 bu/ac, depending on precipitation. This review of the growing season examines some of the factors affecting yields in southeast, east central, and northeast Nebraska.

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2018 wheat with bacterial leaf streak

Bacterial Leaf Streak More Prevalent in Winter Wheat in 2018

June 22, 2018
Symptoms of bacterial leaf streak are increasing on flag leaves of winter wheat in east central Nebraska.

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2018 wheat field day at the High Plains Ag Lab
Figure 1. Attendees look at wheat plots and listen to UNL small grains breeder P. Stephen Baenziger at the High Plains Ag Lab in Cheyenne County on June 21. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Wheat Disease Update for Central to Western Nebraska

June 22, 2018
Wheat diseases were found at varying levels across a wide area of fields surveyed this week in western Nebraska in conjunction with the 2018 Wheat Tours.

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2018 Wheat Field Day at the Eastern Nebraska REC near Mead.
Figure 1. Attendees view wheat varieties and listen to UNL Small Grains Breeder Stephen Baenziger and Nebraska Extension Educator Nathan Mueller during a wheat plot tour at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (ENREC) near Mead June 12. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Wheat Update: Diseases Increasing

June 13, 2018
Recent rains have created favorable conditions for disease development in wheat. If irrigating, manage applications to reduce further development and spread of diseases.

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Wheat field
Figure 1. A grower’s wheat field in Webster County on May 30.

Wheat Diseases Minimal

June 8, 2018
Diseases continue to be absent or at very low levels in Nebraska wheat, with no reports of stripe rust or leaf rust and low levels of powdery mildew. Prevailing high temperatures and dry conditions in many areas have reduced the risk of significant disease development.

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May 30 Nebraska Extension Wheat Field Day in Jefferson County
Figure 1. Attendees viewed more than 30 wheat variety trials at this Nebraska Extension Winter Wheat Field Day northeast of Fairbury May 30. Ten more wheat field days will be held this June. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Wheat Disease Update — Levels Still Low

May 31, 2018
Wheat fields in southeast and south central Nebraska were green with little disease and high yield potential, based on this week's field survey. Recent rains relieved moisture stress in wheat in some areas of the state, but more rain is needed in southeast Nebraska to alleviate stress.

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