Beware changes in disease risk

Damon Smith University of Wisconsin
May 20, 2026
8 hrs ago

1 of 3

Spikelets infected with fusarium head blight are bleached; disease spreads upward and downward by sequentially infecting spikelets.

Crop Protection Network

Pink or orange spore masses can sometimes be observed on spikelets infected with fusarium head blight, particularly at the base.

Crop Protection Network

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Damon Smith University of Wisconsin

The start to the 2026 field-crop season has been reasonably quiet in terms of disease. Dry weather after the start of corn and soybean planting has kept major seedling disease pressure reasonably small. But close monitoring should take place as rain steps back into the forecast.

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