By Scout Nelson
Kansas wheat fields are facing a threat from wheat streak mosaic, Triticum mosaic, and High plains wheat mosaic viruses. The spread is often due to volunteer wheat, which contains the wheat curl mite responsible for transferring the disease to new crops. Expert Onofre states that mites can find refuge in leftover wheat and move to adjacent fields, causing potential damage.
Farmers noticing symptoms resembling a fan-shaped pattern spreading from the edges towards the center of their fields are advised to get their wheat tested at the K-State plant pathology diagnostic laboratory for a confirmed diagnosis.
Onofre emphasizes the importance of assessing the potential yield loss early on, as symptoms observed in fall or spring may indicate significant impacts on the field's productivity.
The onset of warm weather often marks the appearance of symptoms, although the virus can infect the plants during colder months, lying dormant until temperatures rise.
The 2023 harvest season saw conditions that favored the virus's proliferation, including increased moisture and hail events that contributed to more volunteer wheat.
Onofre also warns of other diseases threatening Kansas wheat, such as wheat soilborne mosaic virus, wheat spindle streak mosaic virus, barley yellow dwarf, and stripe rust, urging producers to remain careful and proactive in their crop management strategies. With proper identification and management, farmers can navigate the challenges posed by these viruses and protect their yields.
Photo Credit -istock-zhaojiankang
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat