Scouting time
Infection of flag smut takes place shortly after planting when the spores germinate and invade the young seedlings before emergence. In general, the risk of infection is greatest when winter wheat is planted into warm, moist soils. Although the spores of the fungus can germinate when soil temperatures are between 40 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, soil temperatures between 50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit are most favorable for infection. Flag smut symptoms become apparent during the stem elongation and heading stages of growth. Infected plants become increasing obvious during the early stages of grain development.
Taken from Wheat Flag Smut 2015 Extension Publication, MF3235.
CLICK TO READ MORE: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3235.pdf
Authored by Dr. Erick DeWolf, KSU, Plant Pathology.
Chemical control
Fungicide seed treatments are the most effective way to manage flag smut. There are many seed treatment fungicides labeled for control of flag smut and many of the widely marketed fungicides should provide excellent control of the disease. The genetic resistance of wheat varieties grown in Kansas is unknown.
Non-chemical controls
Crop rotations with nonhost crops such as soybeans, sorghum, or corn provide time for the fungal population to decline between wheat crops and lower the risk of infection in subsequent years. It also may be possible to reduce the risk of severe disease by avoiding early planting conditions that place seed into warm moist soils, which are known to favor infection by the flag smut fungus.
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