Penn State model updated for Fusarium head scab of wheat

Diane Brown-Rytlewski, Michigan State University Extension Department of Plant Pathology - April 06, 2006

Editor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included.

For wheat growers, deciding whether or not a fungicide application will be needed to control Fusarium head blight (FHB) and associated levels of DON (vomitoxin) can be difficult. Major outbreaks of Fusarium head blight are associated with specific weather patterns prior to flowering of the wheat crop. Some of you may have used weather-based models in the past as a decision making tool. Models can be useful if you work within their limitations.

The Penn State Model helps growers assess the risk of FHB in their region. This model predicts the risk probability of an epidemic with greater than 10% severity based on observed weather patterns. This year, Michigan will be participating in a pilot program along with four other states to add comments that are outside what the model might be showing. The added information will include wheat growth stages, weather patterns and information about wheat diseases being found in the state in addition to FHB.

The new system should be up and running by the first week in May. The web address for the Penn State Model model is:

http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool.htm

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