By the time symptoms of fusarium head blight (FHB) show up in the crop, it is too late to halt disease development (though you may be able to manage fusarium kernels with the combine). This makes managing the disease a little more complicated, as spray applicators and producers have to assess the history of FHB in the area, the growing conditions at the time of flowering and the amount of resistance in the variety being considered for fungicides before making a fungicide application decision.
Related Wheat School: Is a Double Nozzle a Must for Fusarium Control
In this episode of the Wheat School, we hear from Randy Kutcher, associate professor with the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Kutcher explains the critical role a late season field scout has in management decisions (especially as they relate to fusarium, but also for other diseases such as sclerotinia in canola), the factors to consider when deciding to apply a fungicide and the proper timing for a spray application.
If you do find FHB showing up in your samples, as with all mycotoxins, be sure to take proper safety precautions.
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