Winter wheat fields from Nebraska to Texas recently received moisture that should help the crop get to the finish line. The recent rains were followed by damp, cool weather, and that is a perfect environment to develop stripe and leaf rust. Successful Farming at Agriculture.com says stripe rust infestations are hit and miss in the high plains. Fields that don’t have any infestation yet likely will develop some in the wake of rain, cool temperatures, and dew. Dampness increases the risk that the disease will move to the upper leaves of the plant, which contribute most of the energy used by the plant to make grain. If rust is present on the flag leaves at the lower levels of the plant and most of the green area is intact, a fungicide application can be beneficial. If 25 percent of the upper leaves are destroyed, there won’t be as much benefit to the plant. Most fungicides should be applied before the plant starts flowering.
Welcome
