This article was written by Dr. Bob Hunger, Extension Wheat Pathologist

Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology

Oklahoma State University – 127 Noble Research Center

405-744-9958

Although reports of powdery mildew continue to come in from around the state, perhaps the more important news is that other foliar diseases have started to become active. On April 24, Septoria tritici blotch (Figure 1) was prevalent on lower leaves throughout the variety trial near Walters, OK. Walters is located in southwestern Oklahoma about 20 miles south of Lawton and 10 miles north of the Texas border. Although interesting, Septoria tritici blotch is not the disease of concern as in this trial there also was active leaf rust on lower leaves (Figure 2) and stripe rust on the leaves just below the flag leaf. Dr. Brett Carver (OSU Professor/Wheat Breeder) and Branden Watson (OSU PaSS Graduate Student) also reported active stripe rust at various levels in trials located near Chickasha, OK in central Oklahoma (Figure 3). The photo from Dr. Carver (the right photo in Figure 3) shows much more severe stripe rust than was seen near Walters. These observations indicate that both stripe and leaf rust are increasing through southern and central Oklahoma. This activity will increase through the coming weeks as the forecast indicates continued moisture (rains and dew) coupled with moderate temperature. Wheat in southern Oklahoma was approaching or was actively flowering, so the option of using a fungicide to protect yield potential either is at hand or may be too late. Typically foliar fungicides should be applied for wheat rust control between flag leaf emergence and complete head emergence (Feekes’ growth stages 8 to 10.5). Some fungicides (e.g., Aproach, Headline, Nexicor, Priaxor, and Twinline) are so labeled. However, some fungicides (Tilt, Quilt Xcel, and Trivapro) are labeled for a later application (Feekes 10.5.4, which is the end of flowering with the kernel watery ripe). Many others no longer have a growth stage deadline, but rather are limited by a pre-harvest restriction. That is, there must be a certain number of days that elapse between application and harvest. For some fungicides (Caramba, Folicur, Proline 480, and Prosaro) this is 30 days. For Absolute Maxx, it is 35 days, and for Aproach Prima, it is 45 days. For some fungicides it is a combination of growth stage and days between application and harvest. For specific information, please consult the label for the fungicide. Most fungicides labeled for wheat rust control must be applied by the start of flowering (Feekes’ growth stage 10.5). The only fungicides I know of that have a label allowing for a later application are Tilt, Quilt Xcel, and Trivapro, which can be applied up to Feekes’ 10.5.4 (end of flowering with the kernel watery ripe). In addition to these application deadlines, there often are required pre-harvest intervals so you must allow for a specific number of days to elapse between application of the fungicide and harvest.  For specific information, please consult the label for the fungicide. Additional information related to foliar fungicides also can be found in OSU Current Reports 7668, Foliar Fungicides and Wheat Production in Oklahoma, which is available at: http://wheat.okstate.edu/wheat-management/diseasesinsects/CR-7668web2018.pdf.

Figure 1.  Septoria leaf blotch on lower wheat leaf in the variety trial near Walters, OK.

Figure 2.  Leaf rust on lower wheat leaves near Walters, OK on April 24, 2018.

Figure 3.  Stripe rust on a wheat leaf (not a flag leaf) near Chickasha, OK on April 24, 2018 (top photo credit to Mr. Branden Watson; bottom photo credit to Dr. Brett Carver).