Pest e-alerts, 01/30/2012, v.11 no. 4

              Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University
127 Noble Research Center, Stillwater, OK74078
405.744.5527
Vol. 11, No. 4
http://entoplp.okstate.edu/Pddl/
Jan 30, 2012
Wheat Disease Update
Bob Hunger, Extension Wheat Pathologist
Scouting around Stillwater this last week revealed little in the way of foliar diseases. In the early planted (20-Sep-2011) variety demo strips I found a few powdery mildew pustules on low leaves, but very few, very small, and, very “old” looking. In contrast to a couple weeks ago, I found no rust pustules. I also found many aphids (mostly BCO aphids I think) in these early planted strips along with an abundance of purpling and yellowing. Some of that discoloration has resulted from cold, but much of it I would guess is barley yellow dwarf. Samples will be collected and tested this week for confirmation. In contrast to the early planted strips, the late planted (14-Oct-2011) demo strips are much shorter and greener and without disease or aphids.
Arkansas Dr. Gene Milus (Small Grains Pathologist, University of Arkansas), 24-Jan: “Extension personnel found one area with stripe rust in a wheat field in eastern Arkansas. The area is about the size of a small car. Wheat is only in tillering stage, so it is not a typical hot spot. We are trying to determine the variety. This is a record for the earliest stripe rust ever reported in Arkansas. We have had a very mild winter so far, and stripe rust has 4 more months to develop.”
Dr. Jason Kelley (Wheat & Feed Grains Extension Agronomist, University of Arkansas) 27-Jan: Wheat stripe rust has been found in Arkansas. On January 20, 2012, Richard Klerk, County Extension Agent in Cross Co. in northeast Arkansas, found stripe rust in a field of an experimental wheat variety that was planted October 6th.