Fusarium graminearum causes ear mold scab in wheat and under certain conditions production of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) can be triggered. The same organism causes Gibberella ear mold in corn.

Marcia McMullen, extension plant pathologist at North Dakota State Univer­sity recommends:

1. Plan good crop rotation systems that plant wheat after broadleaf crops such as soybeans, canola, and flax.
2. Avoid following corn and minimize wheat-on-wheat rotations. Corn is another good host for fusarium and appears as Gibberella ear rot.
3. Choose wheat varieties with improved scab resistance.
4. Assess the region’s scab risk using tools such as www.wheatscab.psu.edu or check to see if your state has a risk tool.
5. Apply fungicides proactively to control or prevent a disease outbreak. Fungicides when understood and properly applied are a proactive way to protect against disease outbreak.

Randy Myers, fungicide product manager with Bayer CropScience said “Annual, proactive approaches to disease management are the most effective because scab on cereals cannot be cured. If warm, humid climate conditions and moist soil are present as grain heading approaches — and the Fusarium pathogen is present — disease will develop. You don’t want to wait until you can see signs of the disease to spray, because then it’s too late to get the most out of your fungicide applications.”