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NCERA_OLD184: Management of Small Grain Diseases

Annual/Termination Reports (SAES-422): [10/31/2003] [08/24/2004] [05/08/2006] [08/07/2006] [08/27/2007]

Date of Annual Report: 10/31/2003

Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 06/24/03 to 06/26/03
  • Period the Report Covers: 06/2002 to 06/2003

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:


    URL: Copy of minutes

    Accomplishments:
    Accomplishments for this multistate activity are included in the meeting minutes.

    Impact Statements:
    1. Communication of critical disease issues and management recommendations.
    2. Compile table listing fungicide efficacy data and recommendations that can be used throughout regions represented.
    3. Develop and distributed uniform screening nursery for evaluation for resistance to leaf spotting diseases of wheat.
    4. Deployment and evaluation of disease forecasting system for head scab of wheat and barley.
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 08/24/2004

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 05/11/04 to 05/13/04
  • Period the Report Covers: 06/2003 to 06/2004

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Small Grain Disease Topic Discussions Stripe rust in Arkansas. A recent series of epidemics have resulted in an ongoing breeding effort in winter wheat. It is unknown whether the rust can survive summers since the pathogen relies on cool night temperatures. In the fall, pustules have not been identified on grass hosts in the area, which may indicate that spores must re-establish after each summer.

    Fungicides. Pat Lipps solicited fungicide efficacy updates, specifically regarding ?Quilt?, Syngenta?s recently registered azoxystrobin and propiconazole mix foliar application fungicide. An electronic version of the updated table is available at www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/ohiofieldcropdisease. In addition, Pat added a summary of Federal fungicide label restrictions for products used on wheat and average costs of fungicides for Ohio grain producers (Appendix B).

    Marcia McMullen prepared a table listing the amount of active ingredients (ai) for foliar-applied fungicides with more than one ai (e.g. Quilt, Stratego) compared with those containing a single ai (Tilt, Quadris, Headline, and Folicur).

    EPA recently granted a Section 18 request to Kentucky for Folicur application for Fusarium head blight (FHB) suppression. However, agency comments in the notification letter must be addressed in future applications. The group discussed and organized a multi-state effort to address both issues.

    Uniform disease nursery effort for Stagonospora nodorum of winter wheat. Cooperators planted winter wheat lines last fall to support multi-state research efforts on Stagonospora nodorum. Researchers at some test locations have already recorded disease ratings while others will rate soon. Disease responses to all economically important diseases will also be recorded. Data will be sent to Greg Shaner for compilation.

    Karnal bunt update. Bob Bowden advised that the NC-503 committee focused on karnal bunt had expired, but a new committee (NC-1015, Managing Karnal Bunt of Wheat) has been approved. The disease is a minor one and does not deserve quarantine status. Deregulation efforts are underway to encourage countries to lift restrictions and/or bans, but progress is slow and the effort is ongoing. Charlie Rush is working to establish a karnal bunt forecasting model for use in Texas, since disease expression is so closely tied to weather conditions.

    Fusarium head blight DON concentrations. In the past, researchers assumed increased fungal DNA in grain would result in increased DON concentration. However, in Pat Hart?s lab no reliable DNA to DON correlations have been observed. Further investigation is needed.

    Predictive FHB epidemic models. Erick De Wolf discussed the evolution of his experimental FHB disease epidemic models. Phase II models are about 80% accurate and have been deployed across the U.S., from as far west as the Dakotas to the wheat-growing areas on the east coast. The Penn State-based scab forecasting website can be accessed at www.wheatscab.psu.edu.

    Integration of marker-aided selection for host resistance. Bob Bowden stated that public genotyping programs in three countries (US, Australia, and Canada), support research on diseases of small grains such as leaf rust, eyespot, stripe rust, barley yellow dwarf, and wheat streak mosaic. Genotyping centers in the U.S. are located at Raleigh, NC (soft red winter wheat), Manhattan, KS (hard red winter wheat), and Fargo, ND (Barley). Labs will process a limited number of samples using high throughput DNA extraction.

    Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). Bill Bockus has monitored BYD of winter wheat in Kansas since 1976 and has determined that it is increasing. He opened the discussion to other researchers for a U.S. survey of the disease. Arkansas Gene Milus stated the disease is currently at a 10-yr. epidemic level. Kentucky Don Hershman reported occasional epidemics. Prominent consulting companies encourage growers to spray insecticides regardless of risk. Louisiana Boyd Padgett notes it every year in the state, but BYD seldom causes significant loss. Missouri Laura Sweets stated that it was widespread in 2002. In other years it has been more scattered and statewide. Ohio Pat Lipps has recorded a BYD epidemic in 1 of 25 years. Oklahoma Bob Hunger noted more severe disease symptoms during the late-1980s and 1990s. Virginia Erik Stromberg noted that yield loss has been as high as 30% from fall infection, but his research has not resulted in spring infection loss. Growers routinely use insecticide treatments for aphid control.

    Stripe rust plot inoculation in Kansas. Bob Bowden wants to inoculate research plots during March (April or May) and does not want to have to depend on natural inoculum levels for his research. However, inoculation presents an ethical issue if the activity results in spores being spread to off-site locations. After some discussion, Gene Milus agreed to consider adding Kansas germplasm to his inoculated disease nursery effort. Bob and Gene will communicate further about the potential for collaboration.

    Old Business. Randy Rowe gave a brief summary on the history of the committee and efforts during 2002 to obtain a re-approval. During its midterm review, the committee must provide evidence of: (1) Research collaborations between committee members; (2) Information exchange and research activity coordination with WCC-97; and (3) Molecular expertise among committee members. Progress toward objectives was reviewed in detail.

    Election of officers for 2005 and selection of meeting location. Charla Hollingsworth agreed to advance to Chair during 2005. After some discussion, Eric Stromberg agreed to accept the position of Secretary during 2005. During the 2003 meeting, Gary Bergstrom agreed to host the NCR-184 meeting during 2005 in the State of New York. Gary?s proposal was accepted, and he will be contacted about setting the meeting dates.

    Accomplishments:
    The NCR-184 was reorganized during 2002 to coordinate research on the broad range of disease issues that must be addressed in order to maintain profitable small grain production in the eastern U.S.

    Outputs: · Submission of grain kernel samples for DON mycotoxin testing from multi-state fungicide treatments at plant growth stages Feekes 10.3 and later to determine whether strobilurin applications prior to heading contribute to increased DON levels in response to comments made by the EPA regarding Folicur. Lead scientists: Don Hershman (KY) and Pat Hart (MI) · Collaborative grant application to USDA/National Research Initiative funding application submitted to support research on stripe rust. Lead scientists: Gene Milus (AR) and Bob Bowden (KS) · Collaborative efforts are ongoing among several states for data collection of hourly weather parameters, wheat planting and flowering dates, and FHB disease severity ratings to support development and validation efforts of additional FHB epidemic forecasting models with increased accuracies. Lead scientist: Erick De Wolf (PN) · Researchers in southern wheat growing regions communicate disease incidence and severities concerning economically important diseases that later spread across the U.S. in a northerly direction by means of spores or insect vectors (leaf and stripe rust, aphid transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus). Early-season communication allows northern states to estimate potential inocula loading and risk of epidemics. Don Hershman (KY), Dean Malvick (IL), Laura Sweets (MO), Bob Hunger (OK), Gene Milus (AR), Greg Shaner (IL), Boyd Padgett (LA) · Fungicide efficacy control table, Federal fungicide label restrictions, and Cereal fungicide equivalents have been distributed via hard and electronic formats so state researchers can include the information in their extension and outreach activities. Lead scientists: Pat Lipps (OH) and Marcia McMullen (ND) · Negotiations are ongoing with the American Phytopathological Society (APS) to produce a revised APS Wheat Compendium. Lead scientists: Bob Bowden (KS), Greg Shaner (IN), and Dick Smiley (OR).

    Activities: · Organization of a uniform, multi-state Stagonospora nodorum winter wheat disease nursery. First year data are pending. Lead scientists: Greg Shaner (IN) and Pat Lipps (OH) · Erick De Wolf extended an invitation to Tim Murray, chair of the WCC-97 committee for a joint committee meeting to be held during 2006 in Fargo, ND. Erick proposed that a half-day joint session could be held to discuss common interests and disease issues, and the remainder of the meeting could focus on regional topics. Tim agreed to discuss this proposal with members of the WCC-97 committee during its upcoming June of 2004 meeting. · Many committee members depend on molecular techniques to complete research and diagnostic activities. Bob Bowden introduced information concerning the new USDA Genotyping Centers now available for use. Collaborations are being encouraged.

    Impact Statements:
    1. As a result of this project, participating small grains researchers are a cohesive group that communicate multi-state issues regarding critical disease issues such as epidemics, management recommendations, and regulatory agency decisions. For example, interstate research coordination addressing EPA concerns regarding Folicur Emergency Exemptions (Section 18s) is expected to not only add to the economic stability of small grains producers, but also promote food safety, benefiting millers as well
    2. While the committees emphasis is no longer strictly on FHB issues, the disease remains a constant threat to the viability of eastern grain producers. Sharing data between key committee members has been instrumental in the development, evaluation and refinement of increasingly accurate FHB disease forecasting systems. The FHB forecasting system is currently deployed regionally and available to producers electronically without charge.
    3. Collaborative research addressing other economic diseases is in its early stages since the committees focus was recently reorganized. Members have great expectations from the multi-state uniform Stagonospora nodorum disease nurseries collaboration. This effort will aid in identifying resistant lines for S. nodorum as well as speed variety development
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 05/08/2006

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 06/14/05 to 06/16/05
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2004 to 09/2005

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Small Grain Disease Topic Discussions Stripe Rust Update. Gene Milus (AR) gave an update on stripe rust in the eastern US. Isolates of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici that first showed up in 2000 and caused the worst epidemic in US history have completely replaced the old population of isolates. The new isolates have reappeared every year since and caused significant losses. New isolates are in different AFLP fingerprint groups (only 55% similar to old isolates), better adapted to warm temperatures, and more aggressive. In general, hard red winter wheats appear to be much more susceptible to stripe rust than soft red winter wheats.

    African Wheat Stem Rust Race. Yue Jin (MN) from USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory in St. Paul, MN gave a presentation on wheat stem rust update concerning the new African wheat stem rust race. First he gave an overview of the stem rust situation in North America, showing data that indicated the wheat stem rust pathogen, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici has been very stable in recent years in North America, and few new races are found in the stem rust population each year. He concluded that several inter-related factors contributed to the stability, including the widespread use of resistant cultivars, which in turn reduced the population size; a lack of sexual recombination; and a bottleneck for overwintering.

    FHB Risk Forecasting Model Update. Erick De Wolf (PA) updated attendees on the forecasting model that is deployed across the eastern U.S. wheat producing states. The model is modified each winter to enhance its predictive accuracy. The system is estimated to correctly predict FHB epidemics 79% of the time. It has an 80% accuracy level for predicting when epidemics will not occur. A few states deploy the system using observed weather data while the rest use remotely-sensed data retrieved from weather radars and satellites over a 20 km grid.

    Expected modifications to the current model include adjustments to thresholds considered by multisensor radar, particularly rainfall; adjustments in thresholds used to determine risk categories; simpler models; inclusion of varietal resistance levels; and incorporating weather forecasts.

    FHB Development, Deoxynivalenol Content, and Fungicide Active Ingredient Interactions. Marcia McMullen (ND) led the discussion concerning observed and experiment validated increases of mycotoxin content in wheat and barley grain after application with a specific fungicide active ingredient.

    Participants discussed the possible cause of this increase in mycotoxin production with use of strobilurin chemistries. Some evidence exists for a possible effect on Microdochium nivali, with an inhibition of this fungus by the strobilurins resulting in less competition on the grain head for the Fusarium graminearum fungus. Other possibilities for explanation of this strobilurin effect may relate to the physiology of the host. More answers to describe this phenomenon are needed.

    Old Business. Charla Hollingsworth (MN) reported that the committees name was changed from NCR-184 to NCERA-184 during October of 2004 to establish a more consistent nomenclature that closely reflected committee activities. Prior to that time, committee members voted to accept the designation of Education/Extension and Research. The Committee identifies itself as being a multi-state, broadly-focused organization with many members having appointments in extension. The minutes from the 2004 meeting held in Fayetteville, AR were reviewed and accepted as written.

    Election of Officers for 2006 and Selection of a Meeting Location. Erik Stromberg (VA) agreed to advance from Secretary to Chair. Jeff Stein (SD) was elected committee secretary without dissent. Plans were already well underway for the 2006 meeting in Fargo, ND; held in conjunction with the WERA-97. Marcia McMullen agreed to host the meetings and work with Tim Murray (WA) and Erick Stromberg on meeting details. Both meetings are scheduled on June 12-14 and will be followed by the North Central APS meeting on June 14-15, 2006.

    Update from the WERA-97 by Committee Chair Tim Murray (WA) and co-member Ruth Dill-Macky (MN). The 2005 Annual Meeting of WERA-97 was held in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada from June 10-12 at the Agriculture Canada Research Centre, hosted by Dr. Denis Gaudet. State reports were given by representatives of five states. There were 13 participants in the meeting, with 7 from Canada and the balance from US; all were from the public sector. Five of the 14 WERA-97 member states were represented, which was equal to 2004, but down from 2002. Participants agreed to meet jointly with NCERA-184 in Fargo, ND during 2006.

    APS Wheat Compendium Re-write Update. Bill Bockus (KS) and Bob Bowden (KS) have agreed to take the lead on this publication update. Bill will assume the role of editor and expects to see some progress in planning soon. He has been working with APS for some time. An interest sheet was circulated among members to establish interest and expertise for future chapter assignments.

    Uniform Stagonospora Winter Wheat Nursery. Coordination of planning this nursery has fallen apart. Greg Shaner (IN) has been too busy with Asian soybean rust to continue to work on this effort. Pierce Paul (OH) will check with his department to establish whether it would be possible for Ohio to assume the leadership role and will report back.


    URL: Copy of minutes

    Accomplishments:
    The NCR-184 was reorganized during 2002 to coordinate research on the broad range of disease issues that must be addressed in order to maintain profitable small grain production in the eastern U.S.

    Outputs: " Submission of grain kernel samples for DON mycotoxin testing from multi-state fungicide treatments at plant growth stages Feekes 10.3 and later to determine whether strobilurin applications prior to heading contribute to increased DON levels in response to comments made by the EPA regarding Folicur. Lead scientist: Marcia McMullen " Collaborative grant application to USDA/National Research Initiative funding application submitted to support research on stripe rust. Lead scientists: Gene Milus (AR) and Bob Bowden (KS) " Collaborative efforts are ongoing among several states for data collection of hourly weather parameters, wheat planting and flowering dates, and FHB disease severity ratings to support development and validation efforts of additional FHB epidemic forecasting models with increased accuracies. Lead scientist: Erick De Wolf (PN) " Researchers in southern wheat growing regions communicate disease incidence and severities concerning economically important diseases that later spread across the U.S. in a northerly direction by means of spores or insect vectors (leaf and stripe rust, aphid transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus). Early-season communication allows northern states to estimate potential inocula loading and risk of epidemics. Bob Hunger (OK), Gene Milus (AR), Boyd Padgett (LA) " Production of a revised American Phytopathology Society Wheat Compendium. Lead scientists: Bill Bockus (KS) and Bob Bowden (KS).

    Activities: " Continuation of a uniform, multi-state Stagonospora nodorum winter wheat disease nursery. " Joint committee meeting to be held during 2006 in Fargo, ND between the WERA-97 and NCERA-184 to promote increased dialogue between committee members. Marcia McMullen (ND) has agreed to be site host. Arrangements are being finalized. " Many committee members depend on molecular techniques to complete research and diagnostic activities. Collaborations are being explored.

    Impact Statements:
    1. As a result of this project, participating small grains researchers are a cohesive group that communicate multi-state issues regarding critical disease issues such as epidemics, management recommendations, and regulatory agency decisions. For example, interstate research coordination addressing EPA concerns regarding Folicur Emergency Exemptions (Section 18s) is expected to not only add to the economic stability of small grains producers, but also promote food safety, benefiting millers as well as consumers.
    2. While the committees emphasis is no longer strictly on FHB issues, the disease remains a constant threat to the viability of eastern grain producers. Sharing data between key committee members has been instrumental in the development, evaluation and refinement of increasingly accurate FHB disease forecasting systems. The FHB forecasting system is currently deployed locally as well as regionally and is made available to producers electronically without charge.
    3. Collaborative research addressing other economic diseases is in its early stages since the committees focus was recently reorganized.
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 08/07/2006

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 06/12/06 to 06/14/06
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2005 to 09/2006

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:

    URL: Copy of minutes
    Accomplishments:
    Revision of Compendium of Wheat Diseases and Insects. The compilation of chapters and digital images has progressed significantly since the project was initiated in 2005. This work will likely be published in early 2007 by APS Press and represents the first revision in over 20 years. The content has been updated substantially and expanded to address both diseases and insect/mite pests of wheat. This compendium will likely be utilized by a variety of individuals working with wheat, including: researchers (all disciplines), extension specialists and agents, wheat breeders, crop consultants, and growers.

    Uniform Stagonospora Winter Wheat Nursery. To follow up on the status of this item, Pierce Paul (OH) was not be able to assume the leadership on this project. Erick DeWolf (PA) will attempt to compile the available information for analysis and dissemination to producers.

    Fusarium Head Blight Risk Assessment Tool. The utilization of this prediction tool by extension personnel, crop consultants, and producers continues to increase. This tool allows individuals to customize their predictions of crop production practices that influence the risk of disease including the presence of crop residues as a local inoculum source and the susceptibility of their crop. We also successfully integrated 24- and 48-hour forecasts into the disease prediction system. Farmers in 23 states have access to the disease prediction models of head scab of wheat. The website used to deploy these model received more than 4,700 visits during the 2005 growing season (April - August). This site was modified in 2006 to include a pilot program that allowed commentary to be entered by the Extension Plant Pathologist from each participating state. The commentaries were intended to provide additional information concerning the FHB risk for that state.

    Modeling for Fusarium Head Blight in Barley. An effort was initiated in 2005 by researchers in the Northern Great Plains (MN, ND, and SD) to examine the environmental factors impacting the development of Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol accumulation in malting barley. This project is being conducted in association with the FHB modeling effort for wheat and will attempt to produce models that can be added to the Fusarium Head Blight Risk Assessment Tool.

    Coordinated and Region Disease Nurseries. Most members of the NCERA184 are involved to some extent with the evaluation of coordinated disease nurseries. For example, Jeff Stein (SD), Stephen Wegulo (NE), and Bill Bockus (KS) screened a regional HRWW FHB nursery; Gary Bergstom (NY) evaluated a separate regional SRWW FHB nursery; and Ruth Dill-Macky (MN) evaluated HRSW and barley FHB nurseries. In addition, several members evaluated a National stripe rust nursery that allows for changes in the population (races) to be monitored.

    Coordinated Fungicide and Biological Control Agent Evaluations. Multiple members of the NCERA184 are involved in a trial to evaluate the efficacy of various fungicides and biological control agents in the management of Fusarium head blight of wheat. This trial consists of the same treatments applied to multiple classes of wheat (HRSW, SRWW, etc.) in multiple locations (ND, SD, MO, IN, LO). The impact of these treatments upon deoxynivalenol content in the grain was also evaluated.

    Coordinated Email Discussions. Multiple members from the NCERA184 regularly submitted information on the disease status of the crops in their state to the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease email list serve. These submissions help keep small grains pathologists up to date on the status of the crops in their region as well as around the country. This system is particularly useful for individuals in the Northern Great Plains as the pathogens present in the Southern states often migrate north. Having an idea of what the potential inoculum pressure will be assists with management recommendations.

    Emergency Registration of Fungicides. Members of the NCERA184 were integral in the emergency registration (section 18) of the fungicide Folicur for the control of Fusarium Head Blight on wheat and barley. This is a state-by-state activity and is required annually. Individuals in the group regularly share examples of the application with each other in order to facilitate and expedite this process.

    Impact Statements:
    1. As a result of this project, participating small grains researchers are a cohesive group that communicate multi-state concerns regarding critical disease issues such as new and emerging diseases, wide-spread and severe epidemics, management recommendations, and regulatory agency decisions. For example, members are concerned about the potential migration of highly virulent races of the wheat rusts and are discussing ways to be pro-active with such issues (e.g. new virulent races of stem rust).
    2. While the committees emphasis is no longer strictly on Fusarium head blight issues, this disease remains a constant threat to the viability of eastern grain producers. Sharing data between key committee members has been instrumental in the development, evaluation, and refinement of an increasingly accurate FHB disease forecasting system. For example, the Fusarium Head Blight Risk Assessment Tool (http://.wheatscab.pseu.edu) that was developed by members of this committee received more than 4,700 visits during the 2005 growing season.
    3. This committee has been instrumental in the development and deployment of increasingly effective management strategies for Fusarium head blight in addition to disease forecast models. For example, several members have determined optimal fungicide recommendations for FHB and recently published them in an extension bulletin that is being co-distributed in at least three states.
    4. Most members of the NCERA184 are involved to some extent with the evaluation of coordinated disease nurseries and identification of new sources of disease resistance. These individuals work closely with breeders and have been instrumental in the discovery and incorporation of resistance into commercial varieties. Examples include HRWW, HRSW, and malting barley nurseries evaluated for susceptibility to FHB and a national stripe rust nursery that allows for changes in the pathogen‘s population (races) to be monitored.
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 08/27/2007

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 06/26/07 to 06/28/07
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2006 to 09/2007

    • Participants:

    URL: Copy of participant list
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Minutes

    The joint annual meeting of the WERA-97 and NCERA-184 committees, held at the Red Lion Inn in Idaho Falls, ID from June 26-28, commenced with participants introducing themselves. There were 37 attendees, consisting of 8 members of NCERA-184, 22 members of WERA-97, 5 members of both committees, and two guests. Fifteen US states were represented. The Administrative Advisor of the NCERA-184 Committee, Dr. Kendall R. Lamkey, welcomed the group and discussed the importance of the committee. Dr. Jeffery Stein reviewed the minutes of the 2006 meeting and led discussions on the committee renewal process. Participants reported personnel changes, planned future meetings, and elected new officers for 2008. The NCERA-184 committee decided to meet in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2008, while the WERA-97 committee decided to have a joint meeting with the Western Wheat Workers in Davis, CA, after having successful joint meetings with the NCERA-184 group in 2006 and 2007.

    On Wednesday, June 27, the general meeting commenced with welcoming remarks from Dr. Robert Zemetra, Chair of the Dept. of Plant Soil and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho. State reports, along with an update on the IPM-PIPE system provided by Dr. Marty Draper (by way of a conference call), were presented during the morning session. After lunch, presentations on topics of interest were given by Drs. Jim Kolmer (Leaf and Stem Rust), Xianming Chen (Stripe Rust), Dr. Ruth Dill-Macky (Fusarium head blight colonization of residue) Char Hollingsworth (Aster Yellows), Richard Smiley (Nematodes), Mark Sutherland (Crown rot), and Jill Petrisko (Microarray Analysis of a Putative Tyrosine Phosphatase). The presentations were followed by group discussions on the impending threat of the new race of the wheat stem rust pathogen (TTKS) arriving in the US and possible ways of preparing for, and dealing with, its introduction; the spread of aster yellows and the possibility that this disease is being misdiagnosed as BYDV; and the importance of the saprophytic phase of Fusarium graminearum in the development of Fusarium head blight.

    On the final day of the meeting, June 28, members of both committees toured the University of Idaho Aberdeen Research and Extension Center. Participants had an opportunity to learn about the USDA-ARS and University of Idaho research programs at the centre. Dr. Juliet Windes talked about Fusarium crown rot research and the wheat breeding program; Drs. Harold Bockelman and Blair Goates led the group on a tour of the small grains germplasm depository; and Drs. Eric Jackson and Maricelis Acevedo led the group on a tour of the rust screening nursery.

    Accomplishments:
    Revision of Compendium of Wheat Diseases. A revised version of the Compendium was submitted to APS Press and was accepted for publication in 2007. This venture, undertaken by members of the NCEAR-184 and WERA-097 committees, began in 2005 with the appointment of a five-man team of pathologist and one entomologist. Since then, several rounds of editing and revisions were conducted, with the content being updated substantially and new diseases and pests of wheat included. The success of this effort was due largely to collaboration between the NCERA-184 and WERA-097 groups, facilitated by a joint meeting in South Dakota in 2006. The revised Compendium (the first since 1987) will be of value to all individuals working with wheat, including researchers (all disciplines), extension specialists and agents, wheat breeders, crop consultants, and growers.

    Disease Screening Nurseries. Dr. Christina Cowger, Small Grains Pathologist with the USDA-ARS at North Carolina State University will assume leadership of the Stagonospora nursery. At the 2007 meeting, members discussed the importance of maintaining this and other nurseries at a regional level, and plans are in place to work with Dr. Cowger to seek funding to support this effort. The successful wheat stripe rust nursery may be used as a model.

    Members of the NCERA-184 continued their involvement with other disease nurseries. Drs. Jeff Stein (SD), Stephen Wegulo (NE), and Bill Bockus (KS) screened regional HRWW FHB nursery; Dr. Gary Bergstom (NY), SRWW FHB nursery; Dr. Ruth Dill-Macky (MN), HRSW and barley FHB nurseries, and Dr. Pierce Paul (OSU), SRWW FHB, Stagonospora and powdery mildew nurseries. Members are also involved with the national stripe rust nursery that allows for changes in the population (races) of the stripe rust pathogen to be monitored.

    Fungicide and Biological Control Agent Evaluations. Members of the NCERA-184 are involved with trials to evaluate the efficacy of various fungicides and biological control agents against Fusarium head blight of wheat. These trials consist of the similar treatments applied to multiple classes of wheat (HRSW, SRWW, etc.) at multiple locations (ND, SD, MO, IN, LO). In 2007, the first part of a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of 10 years of research on the efficacy of fungicides against FHB and DON in wheat was published by Drs. Paul (OSU), Lipps (OSU) Hershman (UK), McMullen (NDSU), Draper (USDA-CSREES), and Madden (OSU). The data used in this publication were compiled by members of the NCERA-184 through the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative and analyzed by Drs. Pierce Paul and Larry Madden of Ohio State University. Results from this analysis is currently being used to define new research objectives and will aid in the registration of fungicides for FHB and DON control and the establishment of new standards for testing as new active ingredients become available.

    In 2007, prothioconazole (Proline) received federal registration for used in wheat to manage FHB and other diseases. To date, this is the most effective fungicide against FHB and DON. Results from uniform fungicide trials conducted by members of the NCERA-184 were instrumental in the successful registration of this product.

    Working with other members of the NCERA-184, Dr. Erick DeWolfe of Kansas State University used data from uniform fungicide trials to compile a chart on the efficacy of small grain fungicides. This chat was distributed to crop consultants, extension agents, and agronomists at meeting, pesticide applicators training sessions, and Crop Management Field School in several states.

    Publications on deoxynivalenol (DON) in Wheat. NCERA-184 members Drs. Marcia McMullen of North Dakota State University, Ruth Dill-Macky of the Univ. of Minnesota and Christine Cowger of NC State collaborated with other plant pathologists, plant breeders, and toxicology specialists to produce a white paper on DON in Wheat. This paper is posted on the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative web site, http://www.scabusa.org. Dr. McMullen also collaborated with Dr. Dill-Macky and Dr. Dave Schmale of Virginia Tech, along with other scientists, to produce guidelines on Grain Cleaning for DON Analysis, which also is posted on the UWBSI web site.

    Fusarium Head Blight Risk Assessment in Wheat and Barley. FHB risk assessment models are now an important part of integrated management strategies for FHB of wheat; and as effective fungicides become available and registered, extension personnel, crop consultants, and producers will routinely refer to these models to make management decisions. This web-based risk tool, developed by several members of the NCEAR-184 through the UWBSI, was modified in 2006 to include a pilot program that allowed commentary to be entered by the Extension Plant Pathologist from five participating states. The commentaries were intended to provide additional information concerning the FHB risk for that state. In 2007, this effort was expanded to include most of the wheat-producing states for which scab risk assessments are available. Led by Dr. De Wolf of KSU and Dr. Paul of OSU training sessions were conducted via conference calls to teach researcher (with extension appointment) how to upload commentary to the website. In addition, in 2007, the first of a series of experiments were conducted by some members of the NCERA-184 to generate data to add a DON prediction modules to the existing risk tool and to develop mechanistic models for FHB and DON in wheat and barley

    The research efforts initiated in 2005 by researchers in the Northern Great Plains (MN, ND, and SD) to examine the environmental factors impacting the development of Fusarium head blight and DON accumulation in malting barley continued in 2007. This project, led by Dr. Stein of SDSU, is being conducted in association with the wheat FHB modeling effort and will attempt to develop models that can be added to the FHB Risk Assessment Tool to assess the risk FHB and DON in barley.

    Coordinated Email Discussions. Multiple members of the NCERA184 regularly submitted information on the disease status of the crops in their state to the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease email list serve. These submissions help keep small grains pathologists up to date on the status of the crops in their region as well as around the country. This system is particularly useful for individuals in the Northern Great Plains as the pathogens present in the Southern states often migrate north. Having an idea of what the potential inoculum pressure will be assists with management recommendations.

    Update on the Status of Major Diseases. Members were updated on the movement of the new and dangerous race (TTKS) of the wheat stem rust fungus across the globe and the virulence of this pathogen on common resistance gene. The NCEAR-184 and WERA-097 groups discussed way of tracking this pathogen, setting the stage for the development of an action plan for dealing with this race in case it arrives in the US.

    Impact Statements:
    1. NCERA-184 members have contributed to the development of varieties with resistance to Fusarium head blight and other major diseases through their involvement with wheat breeding programs. For instance, the three leading varieties of spring wheat planted in ND in 2007 (on 45.5% of total acreage) have high levels of Fusarium head blight resistance, indicating the success of the breeding programs and the outreach effort to encourage planting of more resistant varieties.
    2. Diseases screening nurseries have also been an important source of information used to track the movement of wheat pathogens from southern to northern states. Using such a surveillance system for diseases such as leaf rust, extension pathologists have been able to make more timely management recommendations.
    3. Data shared among key members of this committee continues to be instrumental for the development, evaluation, and refinement of the FHB disease forecasting system. This risk tool is now an important part of management strategies for FHB of wheat; and as effective fungicides become available and registered, extension personnel, crop consultants, and producers will routinely refer to this tool to make management decisions. As DON prediction modules and barley models are developed over the next few years, this tool will become even more useful to the wheat and barley industries.
    4. Thanks to multiple members of this committee, fungicides continue to be evaluated for efficacy against major wheat diseases. In 2007, Proline, currently the most effective fungicide against FHB and DON, was registered, giving producers an addition tool to reduce the impact of this disease. The collaborative effort of this committee has also contributed to the creation and distribution of an updated chart of effective fungicides against wheat diseases among producers, crop consultants, extension agents and agronomists.
    Last Modified: 13-Nov-2007
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