Twenty six unsprayed spring wheat fields were surveyed in the Warner-Wrentham and the Monarch-Claresholm regions of southern Alberta. Trace levels of stripe rust were observed in only six fields.
However, some local reports of damaging levels of stripe rust have been received, and stripe rust has been reported in a number of fields between Calgary and Lacombe. Many spring wheat cultivars have good resistance stripe rust and producers are encouraged to refer to the provincial variety recommendation guides.
to verify the stripe rust resistance levels of their seeded varieties.
The risk of damaging levels of stripe rust developing in the majority of spring wheat remains low due to:
• the weather forecast for the region in the coming weeks
• the percentage of fields that have already been sprayed
• the stage of crop development and the resistance levels of common wheat varieties to stripe rust
Producers are warned to remain vigilant and regularly monitor their fields for stripe rust, looking particularly for the bright orange pustules on the last two leaves. Late-seeded fields will also be more vulnerable to stripe rust as the season progresses.
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