Wheat and corn are both members of the grass family, and as such, are affected by some of the same pests and diseases, one of which being head scab.Head scab, a major disease of wheat that affects the crop during the flowering stage, is caused by the same fungus (Fusarium graminearum) that causes ear and stalk rot in corn.
Even if the cornfield into which wheat is planted did not have a major ear rot or stalk rot problem this year, the fungus still is present in the corn stubble left in the field after harvest. Wheat planted into this stubble is more likely to have a head scab and vomitoxin problem next year, especially if conditions are favorable.
Advice: plant wheat after soybeans, not after corn.
If it's essential to plant wheat following corn, plant a scab resistant variety.
In addition, plow under the corn stubble before planting wheat and be prepared to apply a fungicide next year at flowering if the weather becomes favorable. These approaches will minimize, but will not eliminate the risk of head scab in wheat planted after corn.
Source: Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension
330-263-3842
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