ITHACA, N.Y. - A fungal
disease called scab broke out in
epidemic proportions this past
summer, resulting in heavy
damage to the wheat crop in the
Northeast, parts of the Midwest
and eastern Canada.
In New York State, the disease
struck numerous wheat fields with
an unusual severity, according to
Cornell University plant
pathologist Gary C. Bergstrom.
The Cornell scientist found that
nearly every one of 32 wheat fields
surveyed in central and western
parts of New York was under at
tack. “Of the fields inspected, 11
were severely infected, with
estimated yield losses ranging
from 10 to 30 percent,” Bergstrom
pointed out.
The scab epidemic also hit other
wheat-growing areas of the Nor
theast, including western Penn
sylvania. The disease also was a
problem in portions of the Mid
west, including Ohio, Michigan,
Indiana and Illinois, as well as in
eastern Canada, according to
Wheat Fungus Problems May Last Into Spring
Bergstrom.
New York State, along with
Michigan and eastern Canada, is
the nation’s major producer of soft
white winter wheat used for
pastries such as cookies, cakes and
crackers, with about 200,000 acres
annually devoted to the production
of this type of wheat.
The Cornell scientist attributed
the widespread scab outbreak to
prolonged periods of warm, wet
conditions that prevailed during
May and June when wheat plants
were at the blooming stage.
Bergstrom said the disease is
caused by one of several species of
Fusarium fungus, a group of
common ■ disease-causing
organisms affecting a wide range
of agricultural and ornamental
crops.
Scab, more popularly known as
head blight, is a common ailment,
attacking wheat and other small
grain crops such as oats and barley
to some extent each year, but it has
been years since the disease has
been this severe.
Many farmers are wondering
whether the disease will be as
fierce and widespread next year.
Bergstrom said accurate
predictions are difficult to make,
because it largely depends on
weather conditions. But he warned
that this year’s epidemic could
have a detrimental effect on wheat
and other small-grain crops next
year.
Tests conducted by scientists at
Cornell’s Agricultural Ex-,
periment Station at Geneva
showed that a large proportion of
the wheat seeds being readied for
fall planting did not meet ger
mination standards. Many seeds
planted in September and early
October may have been infected
with scab, which could affect
germination as well as the health
and the vigor of the plant during
the winter and spring ahead.
“Marginally infected seeds may
germinate, but the resultant plants
may develop scab seedling blight
or may later be weakened
seriously by other Fusarium
Lancaster Famine, Saturday, Navambar 22,1956-E3
diseases such as root rot and crown
rot,” Bergstrom said. “Therefore,
the final impact of the 1986 scab
epidemic may not be realized until
next year.”
With fall planting of winter
wheat already completed in the
Northeast and other winter wheat
growing areas of the nation, it’s too
late for growers to do anything
about their wheat seeds. But those
who are planning to plant spring
crops such as spring wheat, oats
and barley, can take certain
measures to minimize the effect of
scab-infected seeds on next year’s
crops.
Grange Urges Land
MADISON, Wis. - “At stake are
not only family farms but local
communities and towns if farmers
cannot receive a reasonable price
above cost of production at the
farm gate,’’ said delegates at
tending the 120th annual con
vention of the National Grange
here this week. The Grange is
Because the disease also is
capable of damaging these crops,
the Cornell scientist advises far
mers to have their seeds checked
for germination rates before
spring arrives. In addition,
fungicidal-seed treatment for all
spring grains is recomipended.
Unfortunately, all small-grain
varieties available commercially
are susceptible to the disease,
according to Bergstrom.
Moreover, fungicides designed to
stop scab in infected fields are
unavailable, thus precluding
chemical control.
Diversion Program
urging Secretary of Agriculture
Richard E. Lyng to use his
discretionary authority under the
Food Security Act of 1985 to im
plement a paid land diversion
program for wheat, feed grains
and soybeans with payment made
in cash or in-kind at levels suf
ficient to attract producer par
ticipation to match supply with
demand.
The Grange recognizes that at
best the present agricultural
program is only a stop gap plan
and will not produce the help
needed for agricultural producers.
“Hope lies in the reduction of acres
under production and the pricing of
farm products to allow a
reasonable profit,” said the
Grange.
The national farm organization
also expressed concern about
adding or blending foreign
materials into wheat, feed grains
and soybeans prior to shipment.
Grange delegates adopted policy
charging the Federal Grain In
spection Service with the
responsibility of changing the
grain standards regarding these
crops and making it illegal for
foreign material to be added or
blended after they leave the far
mers’ hands.
A cautionary flag was raised by
the Grange concerning the syn
thetic bovine growth hormone
known as BGH. The Grange is
requesting that the commercial
introduction of BGH be delayed
unto sufficient data is acquired
across several lactations upon
which long-term projections of the
effectiveness can reasonably be
made.
EAR CORN
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• Wet or Dry
• No Quantity too large
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• Easy access - 2.2
miles off 283 bypass-
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exit
• Daily Receiving 7:30
A.M. to 5 P.M. - un
loading evenings &
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• Trucks available for
pick up at your farm.
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717-665-4785
JAMES E. NOLL GRAIN