Tag: small grain

Early-Season Scouting For Wheat Diseases

Andrew Kness, Agriculture Agent | akness@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Harford County

wheat plants with powdery mildew
Figure 1. Powdery mildew growth on lower leaves/stems of a wheat plant.

Spring is a busy time on the farm that demands a lot of different tasks; one of the tasks that can be overlooked is scouting your small grains now for the presence of diseases, especially this year considering many areas of the state are off to a wet start. For a few select diseases, scouting now could pay off later in the season.

Most of the wheat in Maryland is somewhere between Feekes 5 (green up) and Feekes 6 (jointing), and most has received its first shot of nitrogen. This is the perfect time to scout your fields for foliar diseases like powdery mildew and the leaf blotch complex diseases.

Powdery mildew (Figure 1) is one of the more common diseases of wheat in our region, although it is typically a non-issue unless it gets out of hand. The fungus that causes powdery typically colonizes wheat in the fall when the plants are small, then goes dormant inside the plant over the winter. Green up is the perfect time to scout for powdery mildew because you will be able to see the powdery white tufts of fungus growing on your wheat plants (Figure 1). These signs are typically observed close to the crown deeper in the canopy and/or on plants that are in double-planted pinch rows or headlands. The disease is often more severe on over-fertilized fields, too. It is good to scout for the presence of powdery mildew now, but do not treat until the wheat begins to joint. Powdery mildew will not begin actively growing until the wheat plant comes out of its winter slumber and begins rapid growth (jointing, Feekes 6), and fungicides have little-to-no activity on dormant fungi. Instead, hold off on a fungicide application until your second nitrogen application at jointing. If you only notice a few sporadic instances of powdery mildew now, you may not even need to treat at jointing, especially if weather conditions become warm and dry. If you decide to hold of on a Feekes 6 application, you’ll still want to keep an eye on it, especially as the flag leaf emerges. The top three leaves, especially the flag leaf, contributes to nearly all of your yield.

Also, know your wheat variety because there are significant differences in resistance and tolerance. Data from University of Maryland, University of Delaware, and Virginia Tech can help you determine your wheat’s susceptibility. In addition, varieties containing the pm6 resistance gene have broken down and are no longer providing adequate resistance here in the mid-Atlantic region, so consider those varieties susceptible.

Similar management should be taken against the leaf blotch complex diseases. If you find them now, hold off on a fungicide application (if at all) until at least Feekes 6. And again, protecting the flag leaf is your main priority, so if the disease is slow to progress due to inadequate weather conditions or host tolerance and the disease is present at low levels, then a fungicide application at Feekes 6 may not be warranted at all. Also, the fungicides we commonly use to manage Fusarium head blight/head scab will also work on powdery mildew and the leaf blotch complex; so our fungicide applications at early flowering typically do a good job at keeping these diseases from progressing to the flag leaf.

For help with identifying diseases on wheat, you can send samples to the University of Maryland Plant Diagnostic Lab, or call your local Extension agent.

 

Evaluating Wheat Stands

Andrew Kness, Agriculture Agent | akness@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Harford County

Depending on where you are in the state, small grains may have gotten off to a slow start or may have not established well enough in the fall to make a productive 2021 wheat crop. As wheat approaches jointing and we approach planting season, it may be a good idea to consider evaluating your wheat stands to help you determine if you should keep the crop for grain vs a cover crop, consider alternate uses, or terminate it to replant a different crop.

In order to accurately determine wheat stands you will need a yard stick (or any three-foot long stick) and a calculator. Place the stick along a row and count the number of plants in that three-foot section. Record this number and repeat this several times at random locations across the field that are representative of the field as a whole. I would recommend doing this at 15-25 locations to get an accurate average. Take your average and multiply it by four. Divide this number by your row width (in inches). The equation looks like this:

Example:

Plants per 3 ft. of row: (48+41+38+36+28+51+42+39+48+43+18+29+56+49+45)/15 = 40.7

(40.7 x 4)/7= 23.6 plants per sq. ft.

Alternatively, if your wheat is broadcast or flown on, you can calculate the number of plants per square foot by counting the number of plants in a 1 ft. x 1 ft. square or any other standardized form of measurement as long as you’re consistent (for example, you could use a hula hoop; just calculate it’s area).

To achieve maximum yield potential, stand density should be at least 22 plants/sq. ft. You may want to consider alternatives for stands fewer than 12-14 plants per square foot.

Plants/sq. ft. Yield Potential (%)
30-35 100
22-28 100
18-21 90-95
15-18 75-80
12-14 60-70

 

Can small grains get too big in the fall?

Andrew Kness, Agriculture Agent
University of Maryland Extension, Harford County

Temperatures have been unseasonably mild in our region in October and November. Warmer fall temperatures can make for an enjoyable harvest but can also force accelerated development in our small grains, resulting in excessive tillering and top growth. While this increase in vegetation may be less of a concern with a small grain grown strictly as a cover crop, it can be cause for concern for wheat or barley planted for grain.

Wheat and barley need adequate but not excessive growth in the fall in order to maximize overwintering survival and yield in the spring. Plants that have 1-3 tillers and 4-5 leaves should overwinter well and have excellent yield potential going into the spring. In normal years the plants have enough time between the Hessian fly-free date and winter dormancy to achieve 1-3 tillers. However, excessive tillering and top growth can occur if seeding occurs too early, and/or if temperatures in November are unseasonably warm. Rapid and excessive fall growth can be exacerbated if there are high residual nitrogen levels left in the field from the previous crop. This year I have seen some early planted barley that is approximately 10-12 inches tall now, which may cause some issues this spring.

Excessive top growth in the fall creates a stressful environment that can decrease the percentage of plants and tillers that survive the winter, and in extreme cases the growing point of the main stem can emerge (or be very close to emerging) from the soil. In this case, entire plants can die due to the freeze-thaw cycle. The main stem and first tiller of the plant contributes the most to yield, so if they die yield can be severely reduced; although if there are enough healthy secondary tillers, some yield can be recuperated. Excessive top growth also promotes the development of foliar diseases such as powdery mildew, which if established early, can create a real problem in the spring. Other snowmold diseases can cause serious plant injury to these larger, lush plants. Likewise, aphids are attracted to larger, greener plants; so excessive top growth will attract more aphids, which can vector Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). This would be especially true for seeds planted without an insecticide seed treatment for aphids. Another insect that likes larger plants is the Hessian fly, which will lay eggs in susceptible varieties of plants before the frost-free date (anywhere from September 30-October 13 depending on where you are in Maryland and the year/weather). These infestations can cause serious lodging issues in the spring. Finally, larger plants transpire more water than smaller plants. This means that if we have a dry winter/spring, the larger plants will have depleted the soil moisture faster than the smaller plants and the potential for drought stress increases (although our recent springs have not been dry).

If you have a situation where your wheat or barley for grain is putting on excessive growth, you may want to evaluate the stand after the spring thaw. If the stand is severely damaged, you might consider leaving that field as a cover crop rather than taking it to harvest. Stands with fewer than 15 plants per square foot are likely to have significant yield reductions. If you have cattle you could also try to graze the field in the fall (as long as it’s not too wet); or alternatively, mow the field to keep the growth at bay. Obviously this practice has significant costs associated with it, but has been done with success in our region.

Cause of Red Barley Heads & Wheat Leaf Tip Necrosis

Andrew Kness, Agriculture Extension Agent
University of Maryland Extension, Harford County

Over the past few weeks I have gotten questions about red/purple discoloration to barley heads (Figure 1). These symptoms are not widespread in the field; maybe 1% of heads exhibit this condition. To the best of our knowledge, these symptoms are not caused by a disease but likely a physiological response to an abiotic stress. This spring went from very mild in March to cool and even freezing in April. These symptoms could be a response to environmental conditions, genetic, or a combination of both. Affected heads appear to be viable and able to produce grain.

Discolored red/purple barley head
Figure 1. Discolored barley heads. Images: J. Semler, University of Maryland.

A second condition appearing this year is leaf burn or tip necrosis (LTN) in wheat (Figure 2). This disorder is often a response to cold injury or wind, but can also manifest as a result of heat and drought stress. These symptoms can be intensified by specific leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes. In any case, there is nothing you can do to remedy the situation.

Wheat with brown leaf tips
Figure 2. Leaf Tip Necrosis on wheat caused by environmental stresses and/or rust resistance genes.

Leaf tip burn/LTN may be confused with barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). LTN tends to cause death of the leaf tip resulting in necrotic brown tissue (Figure 2), whereas BYDV can cause a range of symptoms from yellowing of the leaf, which may or may not be accompanied with bronzing/purpling of the leaf tips (Figure 3). Since BYDV is vectored by aphids, symptoms tend to be localized in hotspots in a field, whereas leaf burn and LTN more uniformly affect the entire field.

Purple wheat leaf tips indicate barley yellow dwarf infection
Figure 3. Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus symptoms on wheat.

Considering an Insecticide For Your Small Grain?

Alan Leslie1, Agriculture Agent; Kelly Hamby2, Extension Specialist; and Galen Dively, Professor Emeritus2
1University of Maryland Extension, Charles County
2University of Maryland, Department of Entomology

This time of year, anyone growing small grains will be planning to apply fungicides to manage Fusarium head blight, and many will consider tank-mixing an insecticide to control any insect pest problems at the same time. These tank mixes are an appealing option to reduce the time, fuel, and damage to the crop from having to make a second pass over the field later on in the season. In addition, with many synthetic pyrethroids now available as cheaper generic versions, the costs associated with adding an insecticide to the tank may seem like cheap insurance against possible pest outbreaks. However, to ensure that this added investment gives you a return with increased yields, you should still follow an integrated pest management approach and base the decision to add an insecticide on scouting and documentation of an existing pest problem. Below, we outline several possible insect pests that could be controlled with an insecticide applied with fungicides over small grains, and summarize situations where that application may be warranted, and when it may not.

Aphids. Aphid populations need to be controlled in the fall to reduce Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus incidence in small grains. Spring insecticide applications will not reduce incidence of the disease. Only a few aphid species tend to feed on grain heads, and can reduce yield from head emergence through milk stage (Fig. 1). After the soft dough stage, no economic losses occur. Aphid populations are generally kept in check by insect predators and parasitoids, and thresholds for chemical control of aphids in the spring require at least 25 aphids per grain head (with 90% of heads infested) or 50 per head (50% heads infested) and low numbers of natural enemies. Applying a broad spectrum insecticide when aphid pressure is not above threshold tends to kill off beneficial predatory and parasitic species, which can allow aphid populations to flare up, as they are no longer being suppressed by their natural enemies.

aphids on wheat head
Figure 1. Aphids feeding on wheat head.

True armyworm and grass sawfly. Both true armyworm (Fig. 2) and grass sawfly (Fig. 3) are sporadic pests of small grains and their pest pressure and feeding damage can vary widely from year to year. Automatically applying an insecticide to target these pests is not likely to be a cost-effective strategy since they are not pests that reliably cause economic injury. When these pests are present in high numbers, they are capable of causing significant yield loss through their behavior of clipping grain heads. Scouting should be done to check for the presence of these two pests and insecticide treatment is only needed if they exceed threshold values of one larva per linear foot for armyworm and 0.4 larvae per linear foot for grass sawflies.

armyworm and sawfly larave
Figure 2. True armyworm larva (top). Figure 3. Grass sawfly larva (bottom).

Hessian fly. Cultural methods are the best way to control Hessian fly in small grain, such as planting after the fly-free date, selecting resistant varieties, and using crop rotation to disrupt their population growth. Spring feeding by the fly larvae can cause stems to break, reducing yields. There are no effective rescue treatments for Hessian fly; insecticides targeting fly larvae are ineffective since they are well protected from sprays by feeding inside of the leaf sheath (Fig. 4). If this year’s crop is damaged, it is imperative that fly-resistant varieties are planted after the fly-free date next year.

Hessian fly larvae feeding inside wheat stem
Figure 4. Hessian fly larvae feeding inside of wheat leaf sheath.

           Cereal leaf beetle. This species is widespread in Maryland and is typically present in small grains, though it only occasionally reaches levels that injure crops. Cereal leaf beetle larvae chew the upper surfaces of leaves, leaving them skeletonized (Fig. 5). Larvae can cause yield loss if the flag leaf is severely skeletonized before grain-fill is completed. Insecticides with good residual activity tank mixed and applied with fungicides can potentially control populations of cereal leaf beetles, protect the flag leaf, and improve the yield of the crop if beetle pressure is high. However, predicting whether populations will reach damaging levels is not straightforward, and scouting should be used to guide spray decisions. If a field has 25 or more larvae plus eggs per 100 tillers, and there are more larvae than eggs, then chemical control is needed. In Maryland, a parasitoid wasp species (Anaphes flavipes) may parasitize 70-98% of cereal leaf beetle eggs, so if a field is dominated by eggs with few larvae, insecticide may not be needed. Additionally, feeding by cereal leaf beetle will not cause economic damage after the hard dough stage. So far, we have received no reports of economic levels of cereal leaf beetle in the region.

Cereal leaf beetle feeding on leaf
Figure 5. Cereal leaf beetle larva and feeding damage.

In conclusion, tank mixing an insecticide with your fungicide application can pay off if you have economically damaging levels of an insect pest, but applying any insecticide without a pest problem will not pay off. If populations are present, seem to be increasing, and you will not be harvesting soon, you could gamble. The risks of that gamble include losing money on an unnecessary input cost, secondary pest outbreaks if natural enemy populations are wiped out, or the target pest outbreaks anyway because the application was poorly timed. Scouting fields regularly to document pest pressure and using IPM thresholds as a guide for using chemical controls is the best way to hedge your bets when deciding whether to add an insecticide to the tank this spring.

For more information on tank-mixing insecticides with small grain fungicide applications, check out current research updates from Dr. Dominic Reisig at North Carolina State University: https://smallgrains.ces.ncsu.edu/2019/03/aphids-in-wheat/

https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/04/should-you-spray-cereal-leaf-beetle/

And Dr. David Owens at the University of Delaware:

https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/fact-sheets/cereal-leaf-beetle/

 

 

Fusarium Head Blight Risk: May 7, 2020

Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist
University of Maryland, College Park

Fusarium head blight risk to susceptible wheat varieties as of May 7, 2020.

With the recent showers in the state, the risk of Fusarium Head Blight appears to be high. In the Eastern Shore and the Southern part of the state wheat is flowering/towards the end of flowering. Growers with their wheat still flowering or are within a window of 4-5 days of flowering are advised to spray head scab fungicides (Prosaro, Caramba, Miravis Ace). These fungicides do not need to be tank mixed with another product for spraying. The fungicide products should be applied at the full rate recommended by the manufacturers. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be sprayed at this stage. Aerial application at a rate of 5 gallons per acre or ground application at 15 gallons per acre with 300-350 um droplet size is recommended. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30°-45° down from horizontal, toward the grain heads, using forward- and backward mounted nozzles or nozzles with a two directional spray, such as Twinjet nozzles. In the Northern counties, we are still around 7-10 days away from flowering.

Mild Winters Favor Greenbug Aphids and Winter Grain Mite in Small Grains and Orchardgrass

Kelly Hamby, Terry Patton, and Galen Dively
Department of Entomology, University of Maryland College Park

Summary. Weather stations in Baltimore, MD recorded the 3rd warmest winter on record in 81 years from Dec 2019 to February 2020, with 10% of our 30 year average snowfall (NOAA National Climate Report). Insects that overwinter as immatures or adults in above-ground protected areas are typically favored by mild winters, especially species that are not cold-hardy because much of the population would typically die during the winter. However, the lack of snowfall can also reduce overwintering survival because snow can insulate against freezing temperatures. Mild winter conditions favor green bug aphids and winter grain mite outbreaks in small grains and orchardgrass, and these pest populations can build rapidly. Fortunately, mild winters also favor many beneficial natural enemies. Greenbug aphid outbreaks have been observed in central Maryland orchardgrass (see Figure 1), and greenbugs have also been observed in Delaware. Overall, aphid populations have been spotty in Delaware and promising natural enemy activity has been observed (UD Weekly Crop Update, March 20). However, close surveillance is necessary when greenbug is the predominate species because greenbug injects toxic saliva during feeding and can be very destructive. It is important to carefully scout your fields for aphids multiple times to determine whether populations are building or crashing on your farm. Management interventions may be necessary to prevent economic losses. Winter grain mites may also be a problem this year and scouting close to the soil surface is necessary to catch this issue in a timely manner.

Figure 1. Heavy aphid populations have been observed in orchardgrass in central Maryland.
Figure 3. Aphid damage to orchardgrass in central Maryland.

Cereal Aphids and Greenbugs. Multiple species of aphid occur in Maryland small grains and orchardgrass (see Figure 2) and aphids can vector barley yellow dwarf virus. Bird-cherry oat aphids vector the most severe strain and may need to be managed in the fall to prevent damage from barley yellow dwarf, especially in intensive management wheat. Although the direct damage from aphid feeding is generally similar across species, it is especially important to record species if greenbugs are present. Greenbug saliva contains enzymes that break down cell walls, so their feeding is most damaging. They initially cause spotting on the leaf followed by discoloration and eventual leaf and root death if feeding continues. Grain cultivars vary in their tolerance for greenbug damage. One of the first noticeable symptoms of aphid outbreaks are circular yellow to brown spots with dead plants in the center (see Figure 3); however, aphid damage may be confused with moisture stress and/or nitrogen deficiency so make sure to scout for aphids especially in areas that are showing stress symptoms. Scout a minimum of 1 linear row foot in 10 sites, the more row feet and locations the better, and estimate the number of aphids per foot of row. The rule of thumb treatment threshold for small grains is to treat if counts exceed 150 per linear foot throughout most of the field, with few natural enemies detected (e.g., mummy aphids, lady beetles, fungal infections). One natural enemy to every 50 to 100 aphids can be enough to control the population. This threshold may be lower if greenbugs are the predominant aphid and greenbug populations should be carefully monitored. Foliar insecticides including pyrethroids (Group 3A), neonicotinoids (Group 4A), and organophosphates (Group 1B) can be used to control aphids.

Figure 2. Common cereal aphids. Notice color and length of antennae and cornicles (tail pipes). Greenbugs are light green with a dark green stripe, with black tips of the legs, cornicles, and antennae. Photos: Various Extension websites.

Winter Grain Mite. Winter grain mites are a cool season pest of small grains and orchardgrass that cause a silvery leaf discoloration from feeding damage that punctures individual plant cells. Feeding can also stunt plants. Winter mites have a dark brown to black body with bright reddish-orange legs (see Figure 4). Somewhat uniquely, their anal opening is on the upper surface and can appear as a tan to orange spot that is more visible under magnification. Two generations of winter grain mite occur per year and are active from the fall to early summer. They oversummer in the egg stage, with the first generation hatching around October and adult populations peaking in December or January. The second generation peaks from March to April and produces the oversummering eggs. Because spring eggs result in fall populations, rotating the crop away from grasses and managing wild grasses around field edges can be helpful to reduce populations. Adult activity occurs when temperatures are between 40 and 75°F, and they prefer cool, cloudy calm weather. Therefore, winter grain mites are easier to see during these conditions, and more likely to be higher on the plant during the early morning or late evening. If you are scouting on a hot, dry day or in the middle of the day, you should check under residue where the soil is moist, and may need to dig 4 or 5 inches into the soil to find the mites. Winter grain mite does not typically cause economic damage, and no thresholds have been developed. If large portions of a field show symptoms and mites are present, treatment may be warranted. No products are specifically labeled for winter grain mite; however, products labeled for brown mite such as dimethoate (Group 1B, in wheat only) are likely to be effective. Warrior II (pyrethroid, Group 3A) may also provide suppression.

Figure 4. Winter grain mite adult.

References and Useful Extension Articles:

Kansas State University Wheat Pests, Winter Grain Mite, https://entomology.k-state.edu/extension/insect-information/crop-pests/wheat/winter-grain-mite.html

NOAA National Climate Report Supplemental Material, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/202002/

Oklahoma State World of Wheat Blog, Winter grain mites in northcentral OK, https://osuwheat.com/2015/01/06/winter-grain-mites-in-northcentral-ok/

University of Delaware Weekly Crop Update March 20,2020. Agronomic Crop Insect Scouting, https://sites.udel.edu/weeklycropupdate/?p=14510

University of Delaware Fact Sheets and Publications, Winter Grain Mite Management in Small Grains, https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/fact-sheets/winter-grain-mite/

Virginia Tech Insect Control in Field Crops, ENTO-335C, https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/456/456-016/ENTO-335C.pdf

 

 

Managing Fusarium Head Blight

Dr. Alyssa Koehler, Extension Field Crops Pathologist
University of Delaware

With the mild winter, wheat and barley are moving right along. Planting behind corn is common in our region, but this maintains inoculum for Fusarium Head Blight (FHB). Fusarium species that cause FHB can infect both corn and small grains. Walking through fields with corn stubble, you may see orange growth on old debris (Figure 1). Wet spring conditions favor fungal sporulation that can lead to infected wheat heads. As the pathogen grows on debris, spores are released that can be rain dispersed or moved through air currents. As the grain is flowering, spores land on the head or anthers, colonize these tissues, and move into the grain head. Once inside the grain, water and nutrient movement is disrupted, which results in the bleached florets we associate with FHB (Figure 2). Shriveled and wilted “tombstone” kernels can reduce yield and result in grain contaminated with mycotoxins. Deoxynivalenol (DON), also referred to as vomitoxin, is a health hazard to humans and animals. Wheat heads colonized later in development may not show dramatic symptoms, but can still have elevated DON.

Figure 1 (left). Corn stubble with Fusarium sporulation that can contribute to FHB in wheat. Figure 2 (right). Wheat head showing bleached florets from Fusarium Head Blight.

As we approach heading and begin to think about in-season disease management strategies, a well-timed fungicide application can help to reduce disease severity and DON levels. It is important to remember that fungicides can help to reduce disease levels and DON (traditionally around 50% reduction on a susceptible variety), but they do not eliminate FHB or DON. To try to maximize the efficacy of fungicides, it is important to apply at the correct timing. Fungicides for FHB are most effective when applied during flowering in wheat and at head emergence in barley. The Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (www.wheatscab.psu.edu) is a forecasting model that uses current and predicted weather forecasts to predict FHB risk. The model is currently being configured for this season and should be accessible at the link above by the end of the first week of April. Historically about 70% accurate, this tool aids in assessing FHB risk as wheat approaches flowering and fungicide application decisions are made. The pathogen that causes FHB infects through the flower and rainfall 7 to 10 days prior to flower favors spore production and increases risk of infection. Optimal wheat fungicide application is at early flowering (10.5.1) to about 5 days after. Although new products like Miravis Ace can be applied earlier, it is still best to wait for main tillers to be at 10.5.1 or a few days beyond so that secondary tillers have a greater chance of being at 10.3-10.5.1. If you spray too early, heads that have not emerged will not be protected by the fungicide application. When wheat heads begin to flower, look for yellow anthers in the middle of the wheat head. When at least 50% of main stems are flowering, you will want to initiate fungicide applications. As the flowering period continues, anthers will emerge from the top and then the bottom of the wheat heads. Anthers can stay attached after flowering but usually become a pale white (Figure 3, next page). Triazole (FRAC group 3) fungicides that are effective on FHB include Caramba (metconazole), Proline (prothioconazole), and Prosaro (prothioconazole + tebuconazole). Miravis Ace (propiconazole + pydiflumetofen) offers a triazole + SDHI, FRAC group 7. As a reminder, fungicides containing strobilurins (QoI’s, FRAC 11) should not be used past heading because these fungicides can result in elevated levels of DON. Flat fan nozzles pointed 90° down are great at covering foliage but they do not provide good coverage on heads, which is the target for FHB management. Nozzles that are angled forward 30-45° down from horizontal (30 degrees is better than 45) or dual nozzles angled both forward and backward give better contact with the head and increase fungicide efficacy. For ground sprays, fungicides should be applied in at least 10 gallons of water per acre.

Figure 3. From left to right: Feekes 10.3, Anthesis; Feekes 10.5.1 (yellow anthers beginning flowering); 4 days after anthesis (white anthers post flowering). Image: A. Koehler, Univ. of Delaware.

Thinking beyond this season, an integrated approach can improve management of FHB and help to keep DON levels low. In your field rotation plan, avoiding planting small grains into corn residue will help to reduce the amount of initial inoculum in your field. If you have soybean fields that can be harvested early enough for a timely wheat planting, this rotation helps to break up Fusarium inoculum. In addition to rotation considerations, seed selection is another important piece of FHB management in wheat. There is no complete host resistance against FHB, but you can select wheat varieties with partial resistance. The University of Maryland sets up a misted nursery to compare FHB index and DON levels across local wheat varieties to aid in variety selection decisions. Results from 2019 can be found at https://scabusa.org/pdfs/UMD_Misted-Nursery_Factsheet-2019.pdf. Remember that these trials are conducted under extreme disease pressure and you want to look at relative DON performance. Unfortunately, barley does not have any resistance to FHB. In UMD’s 2019 trial, Calypso had the lowest DON content in local barley varieties tested.