Wheat Disease

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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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.
stripe rust in wheat

Stripe Rust Identified in Panhandle Wheat

April 18, 2017
Minor levels of striped rust have been confirmed in winter wheat from a field in Sheridan County north of Rushville. The infections occurred on only a few leaves and pustules were very small and difficult to see. Growers are encouraged to continue scouting wheat for disease; a fungicide application is not recommended at this time.

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Healthy wheat field in early April
Figure 1: A wheat research field at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Havelock Farm in Lancaster County on April 6

Wheat Disease Update

April 7, 2017
Winter wheat growth in Nebraska is progressing at a steady pace, with most fields now green with little or on disease; however, growers are urged to continue scouting their wheat for early signs of disease as current and forecasted wet weather this spring is likely to lead to severe disease outbreaks.

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Winter wheat in early spring in southern Nebraska
Figure 1. A grower’s wheat field in Saline County on March 22. Winter wheat is greening up across Nebraska and growers are urged tos scout for disease, given the forecasts for a wet spring. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Start Scouting for Wheat Diseases

March 24, 2017

The wheat-growing season is off to an early start due to a mild winter. Wheat fields are looking green from a distance (Figure 1), but closer examination reveals freeze damage in some fields caused by periods of subfreezing temperatures that occurred after growth had resumed (Figures 2 and 3).

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