The 2014 Delaware wheat variety trial disease ratings are now available. To access the writeup click here: Wheat Variety Trial Writeup 2014
Successful disease management in small grains starts with the selection of varieties with good levels of resistance to common diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf and stripe rust, leaf blotches, viruses, and Fusarium head blight. The variety trials give growers and consultants an opportunity to compare varieties under our growing conditions.
In Delaware this season, Stagonospora leaf blotch and powdery mildew were prevalent. Due to a cold, penetrating winter and a cool spring, powdery mildew and leaf blotches were not prevalent until after Feekes 8/9 in many fields. Leaf rust was not detected until after flowering and was not an issue in 2014. Stagonospora was moderate to severe in some unsprayed fields in parts of Delaware.
Fusarium head blight/scab was prevalent, but low in incidence and severity. Most fields were well below 2% field index, a measure of bleaching at the field level. Tan spot was also present in many fields, but not found at the variety trial in Marydel, Delaware.
