Diseases have been noted in some northern Illinois wheat fields as the crop matures in preparation for harvest. One in particular is scab or Fusarium head blight.

This fungal-caused disease was not unexpected given the weather conditions during flowering and through kernel development. The disease can be identified by the part green-part bleached head, also by salmon-colored heads.

Scab results in both yield and quality losses. The disease causing fungal organism also produces the toxin, vomitoxin or deoxynivalenol (DON), which can contaminate grain, a serious problem for millers and if fed to livestock. In addition, the fungus can cause Gibberella stalk and ear rot of corn; thus wheat planted following corn or wheat may be at a higher risk for scab.

Managing scab requires an integrated approach, utilizing several practices. Although no wheat varieties are immune to Fusarium head blight, some are more resistant than others. Ratings of varieties for resistance to the disease are available online at this University of Illinois web site http://vt.cropsci.uiuc.edu/wheat.html

Plant varieties with different maturities, and follow the proper rotation. Wheat following soybean is at a lower risk of developing scab than wheat following corn, or wheat following wheat.

A limited number of foliar fungicides may be used, but the application needs to be at Feeke's growth stage 10.5.1, or early flowering.

Finally, consult the Fusarium head blight risk assessment tool at http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/ to help determine if your area is at risk for the disease based on weather conditions to date.

Further information is available at University of Illinois Extension offices and in the Pest Management & Crop Development Bulletin, http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/