Last Call to Treat Weeds in Wheat

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Time is running out to safely apply herbicides to rapidly growing wheat in Ohio and Indiana.

Much of the wheat in southern Ohio is at boot stage (Feeke's growth stages 9-10), when herbicides can no longer be applied, according to Ohio State Extension Associate Jeff Stachler. Northern Ohio's wheat is close to flag leaf emergence (Feeke's growth stage 8), which is too mature to apply Peak, Harmony Extra, Curtail, and 2-4,D.

However, northern farmers may still have time to apply Buctril and Stinger for ragweed and thistle control if wheat has not reached boot stage, Stachler says.

"More than likely, by about May 10, nearly all wheat in Ohio will be too advanced to have herbicides applied," he says.

Meanwhile, if the weather forecast is accurate, a predicted dry spell will hold off the spread of Stagnospora leaf blotch, Fusarium, and head scab, says OSU plant pathologist Pat Lipps.

Powdery mildew doesn't need rainfall to spread it, but high relative humidity favors its spread, as indicated by heavy morning dew, Lipps says. Continue to scout, and treat wheat if yield potential justifies the cost.