Wheat Diseases in Ohio

Head scab

• Symptoms
  • spikelets of head turn straw colored
  • glume edges with pink spore masses
  • kernels shriveled white to pink in color
  • visual scale available for accessing grain
• Environment
  • warm wet weather during flowering period
• Survival
  • fungus survives on residues (corn stalks)
  • ascospores and conidia are wind-borne
• Management
  • plant less susceptible varieties
  • seed treatment for infected seed
  • crop rotation
  • plow down corn residues
• Scouting