Let's Talk About Caramba

The recent heat and timely rains have pushed the small grain crops forward in the Upper Midwest. Believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about fungicide applications at flowering to help protect from head scab.Head scab is the most destructive wheat disease that growers face, making grain unmarketable, reducing yield and test weight, and increasing levels of DON. Wheat growers that applied Caramba fungicide saw consistent yield advantages over untreated acres, as well as lower DON levels than the competition.Favorable Weather Conditions for Disease:

Frequent rain and/or humidity increase the abundance of spores, which increases the likelihood of head scab development. Spores can be carried to wheat heads by wind and air currents. Infections most commonly occur during flowering because the anthers and pollen of the wheat heads serve as a food source for the fungus.

Symptoms:

Scab is most known for the premature bleaching that it causes to spikelets or to the entire wheat head. The bleached spikelets can either be sterile or contain seed that is discolored or shriveled. Blueish/black fruiting structures also can form, giving the head a scabbed appearance, hence the name scab.Benefits of Caramba fungicide:

•Best-in-class consistent Fusarium Head Blight (scab) protection
• Excellent post infection activity on late season diseases
• Consistently delivers lower DON levels than competition

The recommended use rate of Caramba Fungicide is 13.5 fl oz/A at beginning flowering (Feekes 10.5.1).

Stay safe & happy spraying!