ISSUE 5
January 1997

Concern about disease, this time in Kansas

Cliff Keller, Fergus Falls, MN Chairman, MN Wheat Council
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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.

 It is interesting to note that while ratings of the 1997 winter wheat crop in Kansas have been the best in years, a recent Milling and Baking News report points out that the crop went into dormancy last year hassled by several diseases. Wheat streak mosaic was cited, but leaf rust was most threatening.

Robert Bowden, Kansas State University extension plant pathologist, said the problem extends across several HRW producing states. The fungal disease is killed by harsh winter conditions but survives about one-third of the time, said Bowden, and in 1992 and 1993, about 10% of the Kansas crop was lost to rust. Ultimately, whether the rust affects production will depend on the weather.

However, leaving the 1997 crop unusually susceptible to damage, Bowden said, was the fact that two of the most widely planted Kansas varieties, Karl and 2163, appear to have become increasingly less resistant to rust.

You’re already aware of the wheat disease problems we’ve seen in the Northern Plains. You may have heard about the severe scab and vomitoxin problems last year in the soft red winter wheat growing area of the Cornbelt states. The disease concern in Kansas strengthens the case that wheat research is a national priority.
Copyright Prairie
Grains Magazine

January 1997