Oklahoma wheat harvest made good strides the last few days in parts of Southwest, Oklahoma. Producers as far North in the Okarche and Reeding area were also able to start earlier in the week before rains delayed progress on Wednesday morning. Samples and small cuttings were taken in at Greenfield. Cooler temperatures made for a late start in a lot of areas yesterday. High humidity, cloudy weather, with fog and mist today have hindered anything being cut this morning. Predicted rains late this afternoon/evening and over the weekend will likely stall progress over the Memorial Day weekend. Wheat being taken in at all locations show favorable yields and quality.
Devol/Grandfield/Chattanooga- This area has taken in a lot of wheat over the past 5 to 7 days, with approximately 15 percent of the crop harvested. Yields are ranging from the low 20’s to high 40’s for the most part. Heavily grazed wheat having the lower yields. It has been noted some intensively managed fields have been yielding 50, with a few yields in the lower 70’s being reported. Test weights ranging from 60lbs. to 65lbs. per bushel. Protein averages being reported from 10.5% to 12%, with the overall average being around 11.0% to 11.2%.
Frederick- Great strides have been made in this area until cooler temperatures and higher humidities yesterday. Yields being reported from as low as 25 to as high as 50 bushels per acre depending on management and whether or not it was grazed. Test weights reported from 60lbs. to 63lbs. per bushel. Protein average at 10.5%
Altus/Lone Wolf- Yields in this region mainly ranging from 35 to 40 bushels per acre. A couple of intensively managed fields making above 60 bushels per acre being reported. Test weights ranging from 60 lbs. to 64 lbs. per bushel. Harvest just getting a good start at these locations so no protein reports being made at this time. (Test cuttings and samples have been taken in at Hobart, Gotebo, Roosevelt, Sentinel, Rocky, Dill City and Cordell, but no actual reports being made until harvest starts in these regions.)
Greenfield-Early test weights being reported on one field making 58.5 lbs. per bushel. Protein was reported at 13%, no yields reported.
Okarche-Early cuttings reporting yields from 40 to 45 bushels per acre. Test weights reported at 61 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel. Protein reports on early cuttings coming in at 13.5%
Reeding- Early cuttings on a couple fields in this region had reports of yields making 45 to 50 bushels per acre. Test weights ranging from 60lbs. to 62lbs. per bushel. No proteins being reported on the early cuttings.
Early reports in all locations show test weights ranging from 60 to 65 lbs. per bushel. Proteins ranging from 10.5% to 13.5%, with an overall average of proteins being reported at 11.0% to 11.2%. The wheat being harvested in Southwest Oklahoma has not been stressed as much, so it is thought proteins will get higher as harvest progresses North where we have drought stress. Early yields being reported at 40 to 45 bushels per acre in most regions. Higher yields being reported on intensively managed wheat with some yields on a few fields being reported in the mid 60’s to low 70’s. The regions where this is being reported is considered the bright spot of the state for growing conditions this year. The state has received a large amount of hail damage in South Central, Southwest, and Northern, Oklahoma over the past two weeks. Producers are hoping future predicted storms for tonight and over the weekend subside. The next harvest report to be published will be Tuesday, May 28th. In honor of all the Veterans and Active Service members the Oklahoma Wheat Commission wants to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Below, see the 6-10 day precipitation and storm potential outlook provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet.
Oklahoma Harvest Report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission
The Oklahoma Wheat Harvest made greater progress in areas over the weekend, even with continued rains in multiple regions throughout this past week.
Harvest in Southwest and South Central, Oklahoma is wrapped up for the most part although producers are still cutting in regions where they have been fighting rains. Harvest in Southwest, Oklahoma is 95% complete. In Central Oklahoma greater progress was made in most areas over the weekend. The OWC is now calling that region 60% complete in most places. In parts of Northwest Oklahoma, up by Burlington and Alva, harvest is 80% complete. As you move into North Central regions along the Hwy 81 corridor east up along I-35 around Tonkawa, Ponca City, Blackwell and Braman, that area is 35% complete. In Northeast Oklahoma in the Afton and Miami regions, that area is 85% to 95% complete depending on location.
In the Panhandle regions producers have been fighting untimely rains for wheat harvest in many places. No dryland wheat or irrigated wheat is being reported as being harvest in the Balko region. One field of irrigated wheat has been reported as being harvested south of Hooker and was making 55 bushels per acre on early cuttings, but no irrigated wheat has been reported as being taken in at elevators within that region. Some samples have been received on irrigated wheat at Hooker this morning and they were 17% moisture, so producers were hoping to get into the fields today. (No dryland wheat will be harvested in this region most likely.)
In Southern Oklahoma test weights at most locations have fallen a bit now ranging mostly at a 59 lbs. per bushel average for that region. In Central Oklahoma test weights are not as high ranging from 56 to 61 lbs. per bushel, but most coming in at 57 lbs. to 59 lbs. per bushel. Early reports from Northern Oklahoma across the state have test weights ranging from 60-62 lbs. per bushel, with a few lower test weights being reported at 58 lbs. per bushel. Quality has still been holding up on wheat in this area as the rains have not as impacted it as much as Central, Oklahoma.
In Northeast Oklahoma, the quality on both Hard Red Winter and Soft Red Winter wheat has been extremely favorable. Test weight coming in at 61 to 63 lbs. with yields on Hard Red Winter wheat being reported at 50 bushels per acre and on Soft Red Winter wheat being reported at 85 to over 100 bushels per acre in some instances.
Yields on wheat being taken in as harvest progresses in Southern Oklahoma are still favorable at this point, as the majority of the crop is now harvested in this region. Most are reporting 30 to 40 bushel per acre yields in Southern Oklahoma. In Central Oklahoma the yields are ranging from the low 20’s to mid 30’s, with some higher yields in the mid to high 40’s depending on location. Yields being reported in Northern Oklahoma locations from elevator managers as most locations are just getting good starts have many locations calling for a 35 bushel per acre average, with a few management intensive producers mentioning some higher yields, but those instances are rare. Protein has been ranging from 10.5% to 14.5% in most all locations with stronger proteins overall. State average as of today for protein is being figured at 13.2%. The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is calling harvest 57% complete.
This will be the last week Southern Oklahoma elevator regions will be reported for the 2023 harvest season as harvest in those regions for the most part is considered complete.
Southern Oklahoma
Grandfield/Chattanooga-Test weights have dropped some in this region due to rains and now are ranging from 59-61 lbs. per bushel. A large portion of this area was harvested with higher test weights so average on the area will still fall in the 60-61 lbs. per bushel range. Yields ranging mostly from 30 bushels to 50 bushels per acre. Grandfield region is 95% completed, Chattanooga region is 90% complete with harvest.
Devol- Yields reported from the low 30’s to mid 50’s. Test weights ranging from 61-64 lbs. per bushel. This region is 99% complete with harvest.
Frederick- Test weights in this region averaging 60 to 61 lbs. per bushel. Yields being reported from low 20’s to mid 40’s depending on location. Protein ranging from 10.5% to 12.5%, with the average for this region at 11.9%. This region is 99% complete with harvest.
Altus/Duke- Test weights ranging 59 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel. Yields reported from the high 20’s to low 40’s depending on location. Protein reported at 11.5%-12.5%. This region is 97% harvested.
Hobart/Roosevelt-Test weights reported at 58 lbs. to 60 lbs. per bushel. Yields ranging from the mid 20’s to low 40’s. Protein was reported at 12%-14%. This region is 90% harvested.
Lone Wolf- Test weights in the region are ranging from 57 lbs. to 61 lbs. per bushel. Average test weight at 59.5 lbs. per bushel. Yields being reported in the mid 20’s to low 40’s depending on location. This region is 90% harvested.
Rocky/Sentinel- Test weights are ranging from 57 lbs. to 60 lbs. per bushel, the average for the region is at 59 lbs. per bushel, as of today. Yields have been reported from low 20’s to high 30’s. This region is 90% harvested.
Central Oklahoma
Hinton- Yields in the area are being reported from the low 20’s to mid 40’s. Test weights are averaging 59 to 61 lbs. per bushel. Protein was ranging from 12.5% to 13.5%. This region is 75% harvested.
Okarche- Yields being reported in the low 20’s to high 30’s for the most part. Some management intensive producers reporting higher yields in the low 40’s. Test weights ranging from 56 lbs. to 61 lbs. per bushel. Average test weight for the region coming in at 59 lbs. per bushel. Protein is ranging from 12.5% to 13.5%. This region is 65% harvested.
Reeding/Piedmont- Test weights on what is being harvested is at 59 lbs. per bushel. Yields being reported from the mid 20’s to mid 30’s. Protein was averaging 13% on early cuttings. This region is 65% harvested.
Northern Oklahoma
Lahoma- Test weights ranging from 58 lbs. to 61 lbs. per bushel. Yields being reported in the low to mid 30’s. More progress was made in this region over the last two days. This region is 60% harvested.
Burlington- Test weights in this region mainly at 60 lbs. per bushel and above, with rains over the past few days some have been lowered now to 59 lbs. per bushel. Yields on wheat in this region being reported from 25 bushels per acre to 35 bushels per acre, with a few higher yields being reported in the low to mid 40’s but those instances are rare. Proteins coming in at a 13% average for the region. A large amount of wheat in this region has been abandoned and was cut down for hay.
Shattuck- Test weights at this location reported at 58 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel depending on location and management practices. Dryland wheat in this area is reported as making in the low 20’s, some irrigated wheat in this region reported to be making 60 bushels per acre. Protein is ranging from 12.5% to 14%. This region is 30% harvested.
Tonkawa/Ponca City/Blackwell/Braman- Test weight for this region have been ranging from 58.5 lbs. to 60 lbs. per bushel. Producers reporting the wheat to be making 30 to 35 bushels per acre for the most part as an average in this region. Proteins are ranging from 13% to 14%. This region is 35% harvested.
Oklahoma Panhandle
Balko/Guymon/Hooker- No wheat has been taken in at these locations. Producers have had untimely rains for wheat harvest in several regions of the Panhandle this past week. One irrigated field south of Hooker is being reported as harvested and the yields on that were reported at 55 bushels per acre. One sample was received in Hooker this morning at 17% moisture on irrigated wheat, so producers are hopeful to start harvesting late this afternoon or tomorrow. Most dryland wheat in the Panhandle will not be harvested. Some dryland wheat planned to be harvested in the Balko region.
Northeast Oklahoma
Afton- 60% of the wheat reported at this location is Soft Red Winter Wheat, and the other 40% is Hard Red Winter. Harvest on both classes has been extremely high quality with favorable yields. Test weight on all wheat has been 60 lbs. and above with the majority of the wheat coming in at 62 lbs. to 63 lbs. per bushel. Yields on the Hard Red Winter wheat being reported at 40 to 50 bushels per acre. Yields on the Soft Red Winter Wheat being reported at 80 to 95 bushels per acre. No proteins have been reported. Harvest in this region is 95-97% complete.
Miami- 95% of the wheat reported at this location is Soft Red Winter Wheat, the other 5% is Hard Red Winter wheat. Harvest on both classes has had extremely high quality with favorable yields. Test weight on all wheat has been 60 lbs. and above with the majority of the wheat coming in at 62 lbs. to 63 lbs. per bushel. Yields on the Hard Red Winter wheat being reported at 40 to 50 bushels per acre. Yields on the Soft Red Winter Wheat being reported at 80 to 95 bushels per acre. No proteins have been reported. Harvest in this region is 85% complete.
Wheat Classes and What They are Used For
Hard Red Winter-(HRW) wheat is versatile with excellent milling and baking characteristics for pan bread. Hard Red Winter wheat is also a choice for Asian noodles, hard rolls, flat breads, general purpose flour and cereal.
Soft Red Winter-(SRW) a versatile weak-gluten wheat with excellent milling and baking characteristics suited for cookies, crackers, pretzels, pastries and flat breads.
Below, see the next 7 day forecast and 3-Day Rainfall Accumulations recorded by the Oklahoma Mesonet. The next Oklahoma Harvest Report will be published on Wednesday, June 26, 2023, and a regional report will be published by Plains Grain Inc. on Friday, June 30, 2023.
Hello everyone, find below the complete schedule for the 2023 OSU Wheat Variety Trials plot tours and Field Days. We look forward to seeing you all there!
Note that times are subject to change due to environmental conditions. Please call your County Extension Office to confirm the date, time, and location.
Notes: Abbreviations: DP = Dual-purpose, GO = Grain-only, IM =Intensive management, SM = Standard management 1 Meet at the Extension office 2 Meet at the plot, 1 mile north of Bill’s Corner on the east side of Hwy 177 at Knobhill. 3 Meet at fairgrounds for lunch, plot tour south of town afterwards 4 Meet at plot ¾ mile west of HWY 54 on Arapaho Road 5 Lunch at Wheeler Brothers, plot tour north of elevator afterwards 6 Meet at Ledbetter’s farm @ 9:30, field tour @ 10, lunch @ 12 7 Lunch at Wheeler Brothers, plot tour north of town afterwards 8 Meal at Brook Strader’s farm, plot tour afterwards
The plot maps for each location can be found on our websiteclick here
Below are pictures from some of the variety trial locations from the end of March to early April. Wheat needs rain badly.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 10/06/22 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 10/07/22 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 10/06/22 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 10/07/22 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 10/06/22 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 10/07/22 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Oklahoma Wheat harvest made great strides in South Central and Southwest, Oklahoma over the Memorial Day weekend with producers getting started in regions as far north as Omega and Hennessey with some minor cutting being reported by Seiling. Moisture has been challenging for producers in Central Oklahoma and variety selections made a difference on whether producers were able to get into the fields or not this past week in central Oklahoma. Rains have now delayed harvest from moving forward in all regions of Oklahoma that began on Tuesday evening. Reports from across the state have been fairly consistent on yields being reported mainly in the mid teens to mid 20’s, across most Southern and Western regions. The occasional yield of 30 to 40 bushels have been reported on non-grazed management intensive ground. We have had one or two reports of some fields making 51 to 52 bushels per acre. It is thought yields will be better as harvest moves further North and reports have trended higher on yields in Central, Oklahoma around the El Reno, Okarche, Kingfisher, Omega areas. Yields in these regions are mainly being reported in the mid 20’s to mid 30’s depending on the variety and management practices. Producers have made great strides down around Grandfield, Tipton, Altus, Fredrick, Walters with approximately half of the crop being reported as harvested. Harvest is just beginning in the Chickasha and Apache regions with producers getting good starts. Heavy rains in several areas of Southwest Oklahoma from Hollis, Tipton, Altus to Frederick last night will most likely have an impact on quality from here on out. South of Altus it was reported that they received 3 inches at the OSU research station and East of Altus some areas received 6 inches of moisture in less than an hour. Flash flooding happened in several places from Hollis, Tipton and Altus to Frederick. It was reported that a rail line was washed out in Headrick early this morning. Several places have been without power in this region as of this morning, due to high winds that knocked down power lines. While yields have been below average the quality of the crop up to this point has been extremely favorable. All the data on quality was taken before the late Tuesday evening /early Wednesday morning rains, so producers are concerned what things will look like once they get back into the fields.
Grandfield- Harvest is reported as 50% complete in this region. Test weights before the rain have been 60 pounds per bushel or higher. Yields making from the mid teens to mid 20’s depending on variety and management. Protein reported from 11.5% to 12%, with some higher proteins reported between 14% and 17%
Devol- Harvest in this region reported at 45% complete. Test weights before the rain making 59 pounds per bushel or higher. (Average is still probably 60+ for this region before the rain.) Yields being reported in the mid teens to low 20’s. Some yields reported as low as 6 bushels per acre. Protein ranging from 11.5% to 12%.
Chattanooga– Harvest in this region reported at 45% complete. Test weights reported at 60 pounds per bushel or higher with yields in the mid teens to low 20’s for the most part. Proteins ranging from 11.5% to 12%.
Frederick- Harvest in this region is 50% complete. Test weights ranging from 59 to 62 pounds/bushel. Proteins ranging from 10 to 13.5% range. Yields being reported from low teens to one coming in at 38 bushels per acre.
Granite/Lone Wolf/Altus/Duke- Harvest in these regions is reported at 40% to 50% complete depending on location. Test weights in this region before the rains ranging from 59 to 61 pounds per bushel. (More falling in the 60+ range). Yields being reported from 7 bushels per acre to the mid 20’s depending on location. We did have a few yields making in the high twenties to mid 30’s but those reports were minimal. Proteins ranging from 12% to 17%. Proteins in the 14 to 15% range not uncommon in these Western corridors.
Apache- Wheat harvest was just getting started in this region at the time of this report on Tuesday afternoon. Only a couple loads of wheat had been taken in. No yields, protein and test weights were reported as it would not be a good representation of the area at this point in time.
Sentinel/Rocky- Test weights reported in the 59 to 61 pound per bushel range. (Samples before the rains were more in the 60+ range.) Producers did get rolling good in this region over the Memorial Day weekend, the crop has been reported as clean with not much dockage. Yields being reported from 14 to 25 bushels per acre. Proteins ranging from 11.5% to 15% depending on variety and management practices.
Okarche– Over the weekend and up until yesterday, producers were just getting a good start in this region. Grain was being taken in South, West, East and North of Okarche. Test weights have been reported as decent with most being 60 pounds per bushel or higher. Yields have been reported from as low at 10 bushels per acre to some making in the mid 40’s depending on management and variety. It is thought in the region, most will be looking at averages in the mid 20 to high 20 range. Proteins being reported from 11.5% to 12%.
Kingfisher/Omega-Test weights on the wheat from this area reported at 60 pounds per bushel or higher. Yields ranging from the mid 20’s to the mid 30’s. A couple reports of fields with intensive management making in the mid 40’s to as high as 50. Protein ranged from 11.5% to 12.5%
Hennessey- Wheat harvest was just getting started in this region at the time of this report on Tuesday afternoon. No yields, protein and test weights were reported as it would not be a good representation of the area at the time of the report.
Seiling-Wheat harvest was just getting started in this region at the time of this report on Tuesday afternoon. No yields, protein and test weights were reported as it would not be a good representation of the area at the time of the report.
Below see actual rainfall accumulations for the past 24 hours. (Please keep in mind some of the numbers reported in actual report are higher than what Mesonet is showing based on conversations with agricultural producers in the region). Also please see the forecast for tomorrow along with the 7-day forecast provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet. The next harvest report will be scheduled for Monday, June 6, 2022, please keep in mind predicted weather is showing rains across the state over the weekend so the report might not have much change if producers do not get back into the fields before that time.
This article was written by Meriem Aoun, Small Grains Pathologist
Root/crown/foot rots were observed in multiple wheat fields in April and May in Woods, Cherokee, Blaine, Cotton, and Payne counties. Dr. Amanda Silva reported severely damaged wheat plants in drought stressed fields mainly in Cherokee and Woods counties (Figure 1). Infected plants were stunted and white and had poor root systems. Although the plants were drought stressed throughout the growing season, much of the damage was not noticeable until after wheat heading. Dr. Silva observed pinkish discoloration on infected plants in Cherokee after peeling the leaf sheath in the lower stem internodes, which indicates that the infection was caused by Fusarium (Figure 2).
Figure 1. White, stunted, and drought-stressed plants showing symptoms of root/crown/foot rots (Cherokee county, Oklahoma; photo credit: Dr. Amanda Silva; May 12, 2022).
Figure 2. Pink discoloration indicates that root/crown/foot rot was caused by Fusarium (Cherokee county, Oklahoma; photo credit: Dr. Amanda Silva; May 12, 2022).
The rain in early May in some locations in Oklahoma provided suitable environmental conditions for the appearance of some fungal diseases including rusts. This week, stripe rust was observed in the Stillwater Agronomy Research Station on susceptible wheat varieties like ‘Pete’ and some OSU breeding lines (Figure 3). Leaf rust was found on the susceptible wheat variety ‘OK Bullet” and on some OSU breeding lines (Figure 4). Rust diseases have not been found in other locations in Oklahoma. The current pressure is low and late compared to the previous year due to drought conditions through the growing season. However, rust disease incidence can increase in coming weeks if weather conditions are favorable.
Figure 3. Stripe rust on a susceptible OSU winter wheat breeding line in the Stillwater Agronomy Research Station, Oklahoma (the photo was taken on May 10, 2022).
Figure 4. Initial leaf rust pathogen infection on a winter wheat OSU breeding line in the Stillwater Agronomy Research Station, Oklahoma (the photo was taken on May 10, 2022).
This article was written by Dr. Meriem Aoun, Small Grains Pathologist
During the first and second week of April, some wheat diseases appeared in Oklahoma. For example, in the Stillwater Agronomy Research Station, I observed high powdery mildew infection on the susceptible wheat variety ‘OK Bullet’ (Figure 1). Similarly, Bradley Secraw (Extension educator at Cleveland county; March, 31, 2022) found little powdery mildew infection on the variety ‘OK Corral’ which is moderately resistant to this disease. In Stillwater and on April 11th, I observed initial stripe rust infection on OK Bullet (Figure 2). Also recall in my previous update of 25-March, I indicated seeing little stripe rust infection in Jackson county. Therefore, I encourage growers to start scouting their fields for these diseases, especially if they are growing susceptible varieties. We will continue to monitor these diseases as we approach flag leaf stage and provide recommendations.
Figure 1. Powdery mildew infection on the susceptible wheat variety ‘OK Bullet’ in Stillwater, OK (April, 11, 2022)
In the Stillwater Agronomy Research Station, I also observed barley yellow dwarf virus (BYD) symptoms on the susceptible wheat variety ‘Pete’. The symptoms appeared as yellow, red/purple discoloration on the leaves as shown in Figure 2. This virus is transmitted from plant to plant by cereal aphids. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on a symptomatic sample from Pete was positive for two BYD strains; BYD strain 2 (BYDV-PAV) and cereal yellow dwarf (CYDV-RPV).
Figure 2. Barley yellow dwarf virus symptoms on the susceptible variety ‘Pete’ in Stillwater, OK (April, 5, 2022).
In Stillwater, I observed yellowing on the wheat variety ‘Lonerider’. Older leaves were completely chlorotic (Figure 3). Laboratory diagnosis of a sample using ELISA was positive for wheat streak mosaic virus (WSM) which is transmitted by wheat curl mite. This disease is an issue in our region as many wheat varieties growing in Oklahoma are susceptible to WSM.
Figure 3. Symptoms of wheat streak mosaic virus on the susceptible wheat variety ‘Lonerider’ in Stillwater, OK (April, 5, 2022).
This article was written by Meriem Aoun, Small Grains Pathologist
Based on my observations in Stillwater wheat fields and communications with multiple county educators in Oklahoma, it is relatively quiet in terms of diseases. In southwestern Texas and during the first week of March, Dr. Amir Ibrahim (Regents Professor & Small Grains Breeder/Geneticist; Texas A&M AgriLife Research) and Dr. Bryan Simoneaux (Research Associate, Texas A&M AgriLife Research) reported infections of stripe rust and leaf rust in naturally infected rust nurseries.
In Castroville, TX (29.3558° N, 98.8786° W) nursery, Drs. Ibrahim and Simoneaux observed a little bit of leaf rust in the lower canopy of the hard red winter wheat variety ‘Jagalene’. In the Uvalde, TX (29.2097° N, 99.7862° W) nursery, they observed some leaf rust on the lower canopy of the hard red winter wheat varieties Jagalene and ‘TAM 110’, however leaf rust infection did not spread uniformly throughout the nursery. They also found good stripe rust infection on Jagalene in Uvalde, TX (Figure 1 & 2).
Figure 1. Leaf rust and stripe rust infections on the same leaf of the susceptible wheat variety Jagalene at Uvalde, TX (Photo by Dr. Bryan Simoneaux on 3 March 2022).
Figure 2. Stripe rust infections on the susceptible wheat variety Jagalene at Uvalde, TX (Photo by Dr. Bryan Simoneaux, on 3 March 2022).
In southwestern Oklahoma and during the first week of March, Gary Strickland (Jackson County Extn Educator) reported seeing only very little tan spot on bottom leaves but nothing major (in terms of percentage infestation). He also noted a few leaves infected with stripe rust. Gary Strickland mentioned that the major issue he observed was winter grain mites.
In the Stillwater Agronomy Research Station and on 24 March 2022, I am starting to observe symptoms of the wheat soil-borne mosaic (SB)/wheat spindle streak mosaic (SS) virus complex on the susceptible hard red winter wheat variety ‘Vona’ in the SB-SS nursery (Figure 3). However, due to the use of resistant varieties, these viral diseases are not a problem in Oklahoma and the central plains.
Figure 3. Symptoms of wheat soil-borne mosaic/wheat spindle streak mosaic virus complex on the susceptible wheat variety Vona in Stillwater, OK
WORLD OF WHEAT 