06/26/06 Stripe rust in Idaho wheat fields

It was not unexpected but stripe rust has been found in several southern Idaho wheat fields. University of Idaho's Juliet Windes is getting growers up to date. WINDES "We've got stripe rust in the winter grains. The first time that we saw it was in Weston, Idaho and I think that it probably over wintered down there. They had a really good snow cover." Windes says the fungus was also found in scattered winter wheat fields with susceptible varieties, especially Moreland hard red winter wheat and Delores. WINDES "There's a field down in the Magic Valley area, Rupert that has Moreland in it and its spreading pretty good. They even sprayed for it down there. It's been up in the Ririe area. So just little isolated spots here and there." Other fields near Aberdeen have stripe rust too. Windes is concerned about spring grain because of our cool, wet and windy weather so far this spring. WINDES "First and foremost if you've got a susceptible variety you need to be scouting it at least twice a week trying to make sure that if you do see the fungus starting that you are at the appropriate stage to spray with fungicide." One positive note, Windes had expected the fungus to be even more widespread this year. Stripe rust updates from Windes are found at pwnpestalert.net. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott