Head Scab Fungicide Timing Made Easy

The Head Scab Threat: Why Fungicides Are Essential for Midwest Wheat 

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), or "Head Scab," is always a risk in most Midwest areas that grow wheat. Head scab fungicides have proven to be valuable tools for improving yield, quality, and profitability of wheat. The challenge is determining the best time to make that application of a head scab product like Sphaerex™ Fungicide.

📸: BASF employee/Featuring a close up shot of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), or "Head Scab" on wheat. 

Sphaerex™ Fungicide: Your Ally Against Head Scab, But When to Apply? 

We all know that Sphaerex™ Fungicide should be applied during the early flowering stage (Feekes 10.5.1, see below), but it is often difficult to tell when wheat fields are in this stage because of field variation, tillers being behind the main stem, etc...

📸: BASF employee/Featuring the early flowering stage Feekes 10.5.1 (Middle), Feekes 10.5 (Left) and 10.5.3 scale (Right).

A simple rule of thumb to make a well-timed application of Sphaerex™ Fungicide for head scab is to note when 75% of all heads have emerged (cleared the leaf sheath). Call this Day 0 and plan to make your Sphaerex Fungicide application between Day 2 and Day 8.

Maximizing Wheat Yields: Sphaerex™ Fungicide & Beyond

Sphaerex™ Fungicide also provides outstanding protection against foliar diseases like septoria, powdery mildew, and rusts to help maximize yields, typically 10 bu/acre better than untreated wheat. Adding a pyrethroid insecticide, like Fastac^® CS Insecticide, to protect against armyworm is always a good strategy too.

Sphaerex™ Fungicide Application Tips:

• Use 7.3 fl oz/ac.
• Apply using bi-directional nozzles using a minimum of 10 gpa (ground application).
• Minimum 5 GPA by aerial application.
• NIS may be added to improve spray coverage; do NOT use MSO or COC.
• Rainfast: 15 minutes.

Before mixing components, always conduct a compatibility jar test. Always consult respective product labels for specific mixing instructions. The most restrictive label applies.

Always read and follow label directions. Grow Smart, and Fastac are registered trademarks of BASF. Sphaerex is a trademark of BASF. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of any such trademark does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by its owner. © 2024 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.