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Wheat diseases developing in some SD fields

A number of wheat diseases have developed in several southern South Dakota Counties.  SDSU Extension plant pathologists say stripe rust is just starting to develop but could quickly reach a level that would reduce wheat yields. A severe stripe rust outbreak is reported in southern Nebraska. It grows in wet and cool conditions, below 70 degrees.

It’s recommended that growers apply fungicide at blooming time which would also control Fusarium head blight and other foliar disease such as leaf spots. Several viruses have been reported in Tripp and Lyman Counties of South Dakota including wheat streak mosaic virus.

Managing viral diseases in plants, though, is through prevention of infection.