By Scout Nelson
Fusarium head blight (FHB), or scab, is a growing concern for Nebraska wheat growers as the crop enters the critical flowering stage. The risk is especially high in the Panhandle and western areas due to recent rainfall.
Experts say rain before and during flowering significantly increases FHB risk. This is especially true in fields with cereal stubble, which helps the disease survive.
“Heavy and continuous rainfall before and during flowering poses the highest risk, especially where cereal stubble remains on the soil surface,” said an expert from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A fungicide was recently recommended for a field in Grant County, where wheat was flowering after a rain event.
However, growers are advised to weigh the economic benefits of applying fungicide. “It may not be economically profitable to spray if the yield potential is low,” noted the expert. This is important in 2025, as many wheat fields have uneven growth due to dry fall and late emergence. Some plants are flowering while others are still heading, making fungicide timing more difficult.
Although FHB has been rare in western Nebraska, a surprising outbreak in 2023 showed that the disease can appear even in low-risk regions. Growers are encouraged to treat only fields with strong stands and higher yield potential.
Fungicides labeled FHB also help control diseases like stripe rust and Septoria. However, not all fungicides for leaf diseases will stop FHB. Always check the product label and remember that FHB fungicides have a 30-day pre-harvest waiting period.
Wheat growers should monitor field growth and local weather conditions closely. Flowering wheat in humid and wet conditions is at the highest risk. Use disease risk maps and local extension advice to make the best decisions this season.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Nebraska, General