Agricultural News
OSU Crop Disease Specialist Dr. Bob Hunger Reviews the Spread of Wheat Streak Mosaic in Okla.
Tue, 16 May 2017 12:08:23 CDT
The Wheat Streak Mosaic virus has generally been thought of as a disease more common to the western or Panhandle regions of the state, here in Oklahoma. However, over the last year or two, several cases have been identified farther into the state, some as far reaching as the Stillwater area. According to Dr. Bob Hunger, Oklahoma State University crop disease specialist, no cases were reported quite that far this year, but certainly were in 2016. Still, the disease seems to be spreading. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays spoke with Dr. Hunger during the OSU Wheat Tour in Kildare, Okla. this week to review the impact of diseases on this year's wheat crop, and what measures can be taken to reduce the risk of infection in your field. You can hear Hays' entire interview with Dr. Hunger, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below at the bottom of this story.
"An infection in the fall will probably zero out your crop," Hunger speculated. "At least if it's across the entire field. With a spring infection, you'll be looking at easily 20 to 25 percent losses."
Several factors are at play this year, Hunger says, which could have potentially contributed to the spread of wheat streak in the state, including uncontrolled volunteer wheat left in abandoned fields on which curl mites were able to survive throughout the growing season, allowing the virus to spread to commercial wheat fields. Hunger also suggests that certain weather related issues might have contributed as well.
Unfortunately, when it comes to managing your risk of infection, there really aren't many options. No fungicides are known to prevent Wheat Streak Mosaic, and if you think you can prevent it from the source, you will find there is no insecticide available either that will kill the disease carrying curl mites.
"Fungicides will not work on this at all, and according to etymologists there are no insecticides that can be used to control the curl mites," Hunger said. "A later planting date will lessen the infection in the fall and then breaking that green bridge, controlling the volunteer wheat and the alternative grassy weeds that harbor the mites and the virus are really the two only options to go."
Dr. Hunger adds that there are some varieties resistant to Wheat Streak, but he says of those available, none are very well adapted to Oklahoma.
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