Wheat Diseases

All Wheat Diseases Content

blades of brome grass with a brown to black, thumbnail-shaped growth on one of the blades.

Ergot: A Potential Livestock Poisoning Problem

Cool, damp weather followed by warmer temperatures favors grasses becoming infected with ergot bodies, which can cause a certain kind of poisoning that can affect cattle on pasture.

Color-coded map of South Dakota showing Fusarium Head Blight risk throughout the state. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Fusarium Head Blight Forecast

The warm and humid conditions prevalent in South Dakota throughout June 2024 have significantly favored Fusarium head blight disease development. As of this week, the risk for Fusarium head blight has begun to increase.

A round microscope picture of a green wheat leaf with yellow colored, stripe rust pustules throughout.

Stripe Rust Confirmed

Stripe rust has been found in winter wheat in Brookings County during recent scouting. The presence of stripe rust at this time indicates that there is potential inoculum source for this rust in our area.

Wheat leaf showing symptoms of Septoria.

Look Out For Early Season Wheat Diseases

Conditions have been favorable for disease development in South Dakota winter wheat fields, especially for Septoria. It’s important to scout fields to determine what diseases are present before deciding to apply a fungicide early in the season.

Spring wheat emerging from a field of corn stubble.

Planting Spring Wheat Into Corn or Milo Residue: Considerations for Scab

Due to current grain prices and other reasons, growers may be considering planting spring wheat into fields that were planted to corn or milo last season. While this type of crop rotation is not generally recommended, economic and logistical challenges sometimes may dictate otherwise.

Weeds growing in a recently harvested winter wheat field.

Winter Wheat Decisions

Winter wheat planting will soon be starting and a number of decisions will have to be made for a successful winter wheat crop, including: the time of planting, the choice of variety to be planted, disease and pest management decisions and crop insurance.

Green volunteer wheat plants.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Management Before Planting

Wheat streak mosaic virus is one of the important diseases in winter wheat and can lead to severe yield losses. Learn how it can be effectively mitigated by using proactive management in your fields.

Wheat leaf showing the green and yellow mosaic streaking associated with WSMV.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Showing Up in Fields

Wheat streak mosaic virus is a viral disease, which has been found in samples recently sent into the SDSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic. Learn how to identify it before it takes a toll on wheat crops.

Hail-damaged corn field.

Are Fungicides Needed on Crops Damaged by Wind, Sand Blasting or Hail?

When extreme weather brings hail and sand blasting to fields, many growers wonder if a fungicide application is needed afterwards to protect wounded plants from bacterial diseases.

Map showing the risk of Fusarium head blight with green equaling no risk, yellow equaling moderate risk, and red equaling high risk. Much of the eastern half of South Dakota is red.

The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Tool

The Fusarium head blight prediction tool, available through Penn State University and Mesonet at SDState, uses weather variables to predict the risk for Fusarium head blight in wheat.