RESEARCH REPORT SERIES NO. 2
RESEARCH REPORT 
1983
WHEAT
L_
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
GALE A. BUCHANAN. DIRECTOR AUBURN UNIVERSITY, 
ALABAMA
OCTOBER 1983:
ti
FOREWORD
Acreage of wheat planted in Alabama has increased almost
eight times during the past 14 years. The value of that
portion of our wheat acreage harvested for grain has in-
creased from about $5 million in 1978 to over $80 million in
1981 and 1982.
This research report communicates some of our recent
research findings regarding production of wheat. Included
in this report are results from experiments involving studies
on fertilization, control of disease, response of various vari-
eties, management, and production systems as well as costs
and returns from the crop.
Because of the historically modest acreages of wheat in the
past, we had allocated limited resources to wheat research.
However, in view of the recent expanded acreage, the need
for additional research is very real. We are making every
effort to address that need within the framework of our
available resources.
The team that prepared this publication included re-
searchers of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
(AAES) and a staff member of the Alabama Cooperative
Extension Service (ACES). The contributors are:
Cliff G. Currier, former Research Associate, Department of
Agronomy and Soils, AAES
J.T. Cope, Professor, Department of Agronomy and
Soils, AAES
E.M. Evans, Associate Professor, Department of Agron-
omy and Soils, AAES
Robert T. Gudauskas, Professor, Department of Botany,
Plant Pathology, and Microbiology, AAES
Austin K. Hagan, Plant Pathologist and Nematologist,
ACES
D.L. Thurlow, Associate Professor, Department of
Agronomy and Soils, AAES
J.T. Touchton, Associate Professor, Department of
Agronomy and Soils, AAES
J.L. Stallings, Associate Professor, Department of Ag-
ricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, AAES
We hope these research findings will be useful to you and
enable you to be more effective in your wheat production
program.
Gale A. Buchanan
Dean and Director
Alabama Agricultural
Experiment Station
Auburn University
CO0N T ENT S
Page
FOREWORD.............................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION........................................................... 5
COSTS AND RETURNS..................................................... 7
WHEAT VARIETIES AND MANAGEMENT SCHEMES............................. 7
Wheat as a Forage Crop......................................... 7
Wheat as a Combination Forage and Grain Crop ...................... 8
Wheat for Grain Production Only ......... ........................ 9
FERTILITY REQUIREMENTS OF WHEAT...................................... 9
Nitrogen...................................................... 9
Phosphorus, Potassium, and Lime......................... ....... 10
DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL........................................... 11
Current Research.............................................. 11
Disease Ratings ............................................... 11
Fungicide Tests ............................................... 12
Seedling Blights ............................................... 13
Take-all...................................................... 13
Stem Rust.................................................... 15
Leaf Rust ........................... 16
Powdery Mildew .............................................. 16
Septoria Leaf and Glume Blotch.................................. 16
Loose Smut .................................................. 19
Head Blight or Scab ............................................ 19
Barley Yellow Dwarf ........................................... 19
Nematodes ................................................... 23
FIRST PRINTING 4M, OCTOBER 1983
Information contained in this report is available to all persons
without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin.
INTRODUCTION
J.L. Stallings
Planted and harvested acres of wheat have dramatically
increased since 1978 after many years of being a relatively
minor crop in Alabama, table 1 and figure 1. From a low of
44,000 planted and 35,000 harvested acres in 1962, acreage
reached a high of 970,000 planted and 825,000 harvested
acres in 1982. The rapid increase after 1978, and the pre-
sumed increased interest in wheat as a crop, have prompted
the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station to summarize,
in this publication, what is currently available in terms of
research results concerning wheat.
Location of wheat acreage in Alabama at two points in
time, which dramatically illustrates the recent increases in
production, can be seen in figure 2. A 5-year interval was
chosen represented by a "normal" year before the recent
increase, 1977, and the peak year of 1982. These con-
centrations of wheat production in Alabama can be seen
generally as the "Limestone Valley," the "Black Belt," and
the southern tier of counties from Baldwin to Houston,
figure 2 and figure 3.
The increase in wheat acreage in Alabama in recent years
is probably due to a variety of reasons. It can be seen that
yields have generally increased in recent years along with
general increases in prices per bushel, table 1. Thus, value of
production has risen dramatically. Another reason for in-
creased acreage of wheat in recent years has been an increas-
ing use of wheat with soybeans and other crops in '"double
cropping." The Alabama Crop and Livestock Reporting
Service made a survey of the extent of double cropping for
19821 and found that "nearly one-half of Alabama's soybean
'Alabama Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Alabama Farm Facts,
October 14, 1982.
TABLE 1. ALABAMA WINTER WHEAT: ACREAGE, YIELD, PRODUCTION, 
PRICE,
AND VALUE, 1957-82
Year Planted Harvested Yield/ Prod. Sea. av. Value of
harv. acre price/bu. prod.
Acres Acres Bu. Thou. bu. Dol. Thou. dol.
1957 ..... 162,000 130,000 18.0 2,340 1.82 4,259
1958 ..... 133,000 100,000 23.0 2,300 1.80 4,140
1959..... 73,000 55,000 23.0 1,265 1.76 2,429
1960 ..... 64,000 48,000 25.0 1,200 1.73 2,249
1961..... 68,000 56,000 26.0 1,456 1.73 2,519
1962..... 44,000 35,000 24.0 840 1.89 1,588
1963 ..... 69,000 42,000 23.5 987 1.85 1,695
1964 ..... 75,000 64,000 25.0 1,600 1.43 2,288
1965.... 68,000 55,000 24.5 1,348 1.42 1,914
1966..... 71,000 59,000 28.0 1,652 1.63 2,693
1967 ..... 130,000 112,000 24.0 2,688 1.49 4,005
1968 ..... 144,000 111,000 25.0 2,775 1.20 3,330
1969 ..... 123,000 87,000 29.0 2,523 1.20 3,028
1970 ..... 120,000 85,000 28.0 2,380 1.26 2,999
1971 ..... 164,000 120,000 29.0 3,480 1.48 5,150
1972..... 161,000 110,000 20.0 2,200 1.36 2,992
1973..... 127,00 80,000 23.0 1,840 2.72 5,005
1974 ..... 135,000 95,000 23.5 2,233 3.66 8,173
1975 .... 146,000 105,000 24.0 2,520 2.98 7,510
1976 ..... 140,000 85,000 27.0 2,295 3.20 7,344
1977 ..... 135,000 90,000 28.0 2,520 2.05 5,166
1978 ..... 130,000 65,000 26.0 1,690 3.00 5,070
1979 ..... 220,000 145,000 26.0 3,770 3.95 14,891
1980 ..... 325,000 260,000 25.5 6,630 3.80 25,194
1981 ..... 650,000 565,000 44.0 24,860 3.35 83,281
1982 ..... 970,000 825,000 32.0 26,400 3.05 80,205
1983* .... 600,000 470,000 34.0 15,980
Sources: USDA, SRS, Crop Production and Alabama Crop and Livestock
Reporting Service, Agricultural Statistics.
*Forecast as of August 1983.
acreage was planted after another crop" and that "wheat
accounted for over nine-tenths of the first crop acreage." The
survey indicated that "wheat was also the first crop for about
three-fourths of all 
the grain sorghum 
planted in this State."
Acres, thous. 970
825
700
600
500-
400-
FIG. 1. Planted and harvested acres of wheat, Alabama, 1957-1983.
?oP lanted acres
FIG. 1. Planted and harvested acres of wheat, Alabama, 1957-1983.
1977 
1982
90,000 acres harvested 825,0 ce avse
I dot 500 harvested acres
+ = less than 500 harvested acres
FIG. 2. Harvested acres of wheat, Alabama, 1977 and 1982.
FIG. 3. Alabama counties and regions.
[6]
1977
1982
COSTS AND RETURNS
J. L. Stallings
The Alabama Cooperative Extension 
Service, in cooper-
ation with personnel of the USDA 
and the Alabama Ag-
ricultural Experiment Station, prepares 
budgets of costs and
returns annually. These budgets serve 
many purposes, in-
cluding that of inputs into further research 
on various econ-
omic problems.
The latest of these costs and returns 
budgets (1983) are
summarized in table 2 for different State 
areas, figure 3. This
is done because it has been found 
that yields, prices, and
costs vary from area to area resulting 
in differences in
profitability. Budget data are presented 
for wheat grown
alone and double-cropped with soybeans.
TABLE 2. COSTS AND RETURNS PER ACRE 
FOR WHEAT BY REGIONS OF ALABAMA, RECOMMENDED 
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, 1983
Limestone Sand Upper Lower Black 
Gulf
Item Valley Coastal 
Piedmont Coastal Belt Wiregrass
Mountain Plains Plains
Wheat for grain (alone)
Yield per acre, bu ................... 40.00 40.00 
37.00 33.00 37.00 38.00 34.00 34.00
Price per bu., dol ................... 4.30 
4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30 
4.30 4.30 4.30
Value, dol. ......................... 172.00 
172.00 159.10 141.90 159.10 163.40 
146.20 146.20
Variable costs except labor, dol......... 84.79 85.84 
86.23 85.96 88.98 87.00 89.77 
89.67
Fixed costs, dol ..................... 32.78 32.78 
32.19 32.19 32.78 32.78 32.19 
32.78
Labor costs, dol ..................... 4.51 
4.51 4.78 4.78 4.51 4.24 
4.78 4.51
Total costs, dol ...................... 122.08 123.13 
123.20 122.93 126.27 124.02 
126.74 126.95
Return above variable costs, dol........ 87.21 86.16 
72.87 55.94 70.12 76.40 56.43 
56.53
Return to land and mgt., dol........... 49.92 
48.87 35.90 18.97 32.83 39.38 
19.46 19.25
Soybeans: Wheat-soybeans (double-cropped)
Yield per acre, bu ................... 25.00 
25.00 25.00 23.00 27.00 25.00 
25.00 30.00
Price per bu. dol..................... 
. 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 
6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00
Value, dol........................... 150.00 
150.00 150.00 138.00 162.00 
150.00 150.00 180.00
Wheat:
Yield per acre, bu.................... 40.00 
40.00 37.00 33.00 37.00 
38.00 34.00 34.00
Price per bu. dol..................... . 4.30 
4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30 
4.30 4.30 4.30
Value, dol........................... 172.00 
172.00 159.10 141.90 159.10 
163.40 146.20 146.20
Total value, dol ...................... 322.00 
322.00 309.10 279.90 321.10 
313.40 296.20 326.20
Total variable costs, except labor, dol. .. 142.90 
138.34 140.36 138.79 156.10 
159.43 157.74 159.57
Total fixed costs, dol .................. 76.30 
76.30 81.40 81.40 78.95 
77.30 83.91 78.30
Total labor cost, dol................... 11.80 
11.80 13.97 13.97 12.69 
11.11 15.07 11.80
Total costs, dol....................... 231.01 
226.44 235.73 234.16 147.74 
247.90 256.72 249.67
Return above total variable costs, dol.. . . 179.10 
183.66 168.74 141.11 165.00 
153.92 138.45 166.63
Return to land and mgt., dol............90.99 
95.56 73.37 45.74 73.36 
65.50 39.48 76.53
Source: Budgets compiled by the Alabama Cooperative 
Extension Service in cooperation with the USDA and the 
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.
WHEAT VARIETIES 
AND MANAGEMENT 
SCHEMES
Cliff G. Currier
Wheat is a versatile crop. It can be planted alone or in
combination with other forages for winter 
grazing. It can be
grazed until the plants begin reproductive 
growth and then
be allowed to produce a grain crop. It can 
also be grown for a
grain crop only.
Field research studies have been conducted 
to test the
yield potential of wheat and other small 
grain varieties when
grown under various management practices. 
In general,
results have shown that among the many 
wheat varieties
currently available to Alabama farmers, 
some varieties have
better yield potential for a given management 
practice than
others. Some of these varieties appear to 
be adapted over the
whole State, while others have a more 
specific area of
adaptation. Many varieties have been 
tested, but only the
results for those varieties recommended in 
the Experiment
Station's Small Grain Variety Report, 1981-82 
(Department
of Agronomy and Soils, Departmental Series No. 
77) are
given here.
WHEAT AS A FORAGE CROP
Wheat to be used for forage, planted alone, or in 
com-
bination with other grasses and or legumes 
is generally
planted in early September or October. Lime, 
phosphorus,
and potassium are applied prior to planting 
on a prepared
seedbed. One hundred pounds of nitrogen 
are also applied
prior to planting. Grazing can commence as soon as the
plants attain a height of 6 to 10 inches. Another 60 
pounds of
nitrogen is applied in mid- to late February. 
The nitrogen
rate can be reduced or omitted if a good stand of legumes 
is
present in the pasture. Oven-dry forage yields 
of wheat
grown alone ranged from 2,847 to 4,488 
pounds per acre,
depending on the variety and the location involved, 
table 3.
[7]
TABLE 3. THREE-YEAR AVERAGE OVEN-DRY FORAGE YIELD OF WHEAT
VARIETIES RECOMMENDED FOR FORAGE PRODUCTION ONLY IN
NORTHERN, CENTRAL, AND SOUTHERN ALABAMA, 1980-82
Variety 
3-yr. av. oven-dry 
forage
yield per acre
Lb.
Northern Alabama
Coker 68-15 ................... 3,770
Coker 747 ..................... 4,240
N.K.-McNair 1003 ............. 3,962
Southern Belle. ................. 3,740
Central Alabama
Coker 68-15 .................... 4,155
Coker 747 ..................... 4,488
N.K.-McNair 1003 ............. 4,284
N.K.-McNair 1813............. 4011
Southern Alabama
Coker 68-15 ................... .3,378
Coker 747..................... 3,207
Coker 762..................... 2,847
H olley................. ........ 2,982
Southern Belle................. .3,074
W akeland..................... 3,092
WHEAT AS A COMBINATION FORAGE
AND GRAIN CROP
Wheat used in this way is planted in early September or
October, limed, fertilized, and nitrated as described earlier.
Wheat must be planted alone because of interference by
other species with grain harvest. Animals are removed from
the pasture at the February nitrating. Timing is critical in
the removal of animals from pastures in this scheme. Ani-
mals need to be removed just before wheat plants begin
head initiation (jointing). If a primordial head is broken or
bitten off, that tiller will not produce a seed head.
Wheat herbage produced during fall and winter is ex-
tremely palatable and high in available energy. From a
nutritional standpoint it is not unreasonable to equate a
pound of wheat herbage dry matter to a pound of grain dry
matter and sum the two to arrive at a figure for total feed.
Wheat varieties differ greatly in total feed production and in
the relative amount of forage and grain they produce. One
must decide if the forage or the grain is the most important
component needed from the variety. The forage to total feed
ratio is given to show the proportion of total feed that is
forage. Forage yields range from 690 to 2,325 pounds of dry
forage with the subsequent grain yields varying from 1,414
to 3,059 pounds of grain. Total feed production by varieties
ranges from 2,983 to 4,705 pounds of feed per acre with the
proportion of forage making up the total feed production
ranging from 22 to 62 percent forage, table 4.
TABLE 4. THREE-YEAR AVERAGE COMBINATION FORAGE AND GRAIN YIELD OF WHEAT VARIETIES RECOMMENDED
FOR NORTHERN, CENTRAL, AND SOUTHERN ALABAMA, 1980-82
Variety 3-yr. av. oven-dry 3 yr. av. 
grain 3-yr. av. total feed Forage to total
ariety forage yield per acre yield per acre production per acre feed ratio
Lb. Lb. Lb.
Northern Alabama
Coker 68-15 ................... 1,169 2,237 3,406 34
Coker 747 ..................... 706 2,495 3,201 22
Coker 762 ..................... 1,163 2,331 3,494 33
Coker 916 ..................... 902 2,637 3,539 26
Ga. 1123...................... 1,264 1,871 3,135 40
N.K.-McNair 1003 ............. 997 2,292 3,289 30
N.K.-McNair 1813 ............. 1,175 1,808 2,983 39
Roy .......................... 1,119 2,332 3,451 32
Southern Belle............... . 954 2,359 3,313 29
W akeland..................... 1,408 1,715 3,123 45
Central Alabama
Abe .......................... 1,260 2,131 3,391 37
Arthur........................ 1,514 2,197 3,711 41
Arthur 71..................... 1,485 2,035 3,520 42
Coker 68-15................... 2,040 1,696 3,736 55
Coker 747..................... 1,622 2,217 3,839 42
Coker 762..................... 2,193 1,865 4,058 54
N.K.-McNair 1003 ............. 2,216 2,207 4,423 50
N.K.-McNair 1813 ............. 2,289 2,150 4,439 52
Roy .......................... 2,194 2,090 4,284 51
Southern Belle................. 1,868 2,155 4,023 46
Wakeland..................... 2,325 1,414 3,739 62
Southern Alabama
Coker 68-15................... 1,681 2,155 3,836 44
Coker 747..................... 1,359 2,491 3,850 35
Coker 762..................... 1,910 2,577 4,487 43
Coker 916..................... 1,646 3,059 4,705 35
Holley........................ 1,791 2,332 4,123 43
N.K.-McNair 1003 ............. 1,804 2,007 3,811 47
Roy .......................... 2,106 2,049 4,155 51
Southern Belle................. .1,564 2,357 3,921 40
W akeland..................... 2,115 1,831 3,946 54
[8]
TABLE 5. THREE-YEAR AVERAGE GRAIN YIELD OF WHEAT VARIETIES
RECOMMENDED FOR GRAIN PRODUCTION ONLY IN NORTHERN,
CENTRAL, AND SOUTHERN ALABAMA, 1980-82
Variety 
3-yr. av. grain
yield per acre
Bu.
Northern Alabama
Coker 68-15. ................... .. 42
Coker 747 ............ ... ......... 42
Coker 762 ........................ 46
Coker 916 ........................ 45
N.K.-McNair 1003 ................ 40
N.K.-McNair 1813 ................ 37
Roy ............................. 45
Southern Belle ................... 41
Central Alabama
A rthur ........................... 40
Coker 68-15 ...................... 40
Coker 747 ...................................42
C oker 762 ........................ 48
N.K.-M cNair 1003 ................ 48
N.K.-McNair 1813 ................ 44
R oy .................. ........... 43
Southern Belle.................... 45
Southern Alabama
Coker 68-15...................... 40
C oker 747........................ 45
Coker 762........................ 52
Coker 916........................ 56
H olley........................... 40
N.K.-McNair 1003 ................ 40
R oy ............................. 42
Southern Belle.................... 48
WHEAT FOR GRAIN PRODUCTION ONLY
Wheat planted for grain production only is normally
planted in mid-October in northern Alabama to as late as
December 1 in southern Alabama. Wheat for grain is most
often used in a double-cropping scheme with soybeans. This
crop can be broadcast seeded over a senescing stand of
soybeans or broadcast or drilled into a prepared seedbed.
Higher seeding rates are needed with broadcast seedings.
Twenty pounds of nitrogen are normally applied with other
fertilizers at planting, followed by an application of 60
pounds of nitrogen in mid- to late February.
Wheat varieties currently recommended have produced
from 37 to 56 bushels of grain per acre (60 pounds per
bushel), table 5. Another important factor to farmers double-
cropping with wheat is the rate of maturity of the wheat
variety. At present, there is little information available
concerning harvest-ready dates for these varieties. There
appears to be a 7- to 10-day difference among heading dates
in the varieties currently recommended. This difference
may not be large enough to warrant selection for maturity
alone. However, yield should be the major consideration, in
variety selection.
FERTILITY REQUIREMENTS OF WHEAT
J.T. Cope, D.L. Thurlow, E.M. Evans, and J.T. Touchton
The primary consideration in fertilizing wheat is to apply
adequate nitrogen in the fall and late winter, with phos-
phorus, potassium, and lime applied according to reliable
soil tests. Nitrogen needs do not vary much on Alabama
soils because all are low in organic matter and supply only
small amounts of nitrogen to growing plants, especially
during cool seasons when decomposition of the organic
matter is slow. Amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and lime
needed vary among soils and with past fertilization and
cropping practices.
NITROGEN
Research conducted on small grains many years ago
showed that nitrogen applied at planting had little effect on
grain yield. The primary purpose of fall applied nitrogen on
wheat grown for grain is to ensure adequate plant growth
prior to severe freezes, which will sometimes kill plants.
Excessive nitrogen applied in the fall may cause rapid veg-
etative growth during the fall and winter, which may result
in excessive lodging in the spring. Depending on fall appli-
cation to supply all of the nitrogen needed by wheat will
usually result in an exhausted supply before grain pro-
duction is initiated in the spring.
Data from an experiment at the Sand Mountain and
Wiregrass substations in 1980-81 show that the nitrogen
requirement is affected by the preceding summer crop,
table 6. Need for fall applied nitrogen was greater following
sorghum than when wheat followed soybeans. The data from
these studies support data from other studies, and currently
TABLE 6. RATES OF N FOR WHEAT FOLLOWING SOYBEANS AND SORGHUM, 1980-81
Wheat yield/acre, by fall/spring N lb./acre
Location Fall 0 12 24 36
Spring 0 24 48 72 0 24 48 72 0 24 48 72 0 24 48 72
Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu.
Wiregrass Substation Soybeans 41 50 54 49 42 55 55 51 54 49 52 51 52 52 55 51
Sorghum 35 37 49 53 40 42 56 55 38 48 54 59 45 54 55 54
Sand Mountain Substation Soybeans 31 42 38 43 38 42 47 46 38 45 51 45 34 46 45 45
Sorghum 14 27 38 40 21 31 40 44 24 37 42 47 28 39 46 53
Average Soybeans 36 46 46 46 40 48 51 49 46 47 52 48 43 49 50 49
Sorghum 24 32 43 46 30 36 48 49 31 42 53 53 36 46 50 54
[9]
it appears that the best rates for wheat following soybeans
are 0 to 20 pounds per acre in the fall and 40 to 60 pounds per
acre in late February. Wheat following non-legumes needs
30 pounds per acre in the fall and 60 to 80 pounds per acre in
late February.
In an experiment at the E.V. Smith Research Center in
Macon County in 1980-81, the best time to apply spring
nitrogen for wheat was January or February, table 7. Rates of
TABLE 7. TIME OF APPLICATION OF SPRING N FOB WHEAT,
E.V. SMITH RESEARCH CENTER, 1980-81
N. rate, Yield/acre, by date of application
lb./acre Jan. 22 Feb. 24 
Mar. 24 Apr. 23
Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu.
50............ 45(3)' 43(3) 36 25
752 ......... . 52(69) 45(5) 28 24
1002............ 40(77) 50(27) 37 26
No N check = 18 bu. per acre
'Number in parenthesis are percent lodged.
2
For 75 and 100 pounds per acre January application, wheat had 
to be
picked up by hand and thrown in combine.
75 pounds nitrogen applied in late January or 100 pounds in
January or February caused extensive lodging. These data
support the current recommendation of 60 pounds in Feb-
ruary. Delaying nitrogen application until March 24 reduced
yield at this location. The optimum time for spring nitrogen
application will vary from year to year and among locations
within the State. Research on timing of spring nitrogen
application is limited. Currently, it appears the optimum
time for spring application is between February 15 and 20 for
south Alabama and between March 1 and 15 for north
Alabama.
When grown for grazing, wheat planted on fallowed fields
in early September can utilize up to 100 pounds of nitrogen
per acre in the fall and winter in producing vegetative
growth. For late planted fields, only 60 pounds is needed.
The spring application is necessary for grain production or
for late spring grazing.
PHOSPHORUS, POTASSIUM, AND LIME
The need for phosphorus and potassium varies with kind
of soil and past cropping and fertilization history. The 1981
soil test summary showed that of all soil samples received for
temporary winter grasses, which were mostly for wheat, 40
percent were High in phosphorus and 56 percent were High
in potassium. These were about the same percentages as for
all field crop samples. The High levels indicate these soils
contained adequate amounts of phosphorus or potassium to
produce maximum yields without application of the nutrient
tested. This also means that 60 percent of samples received
recommendations for applying phosphorus and 44 percent
for applying potassium.
These soil test recommendations are based on data such as
that from experiments at six locations on a rotation of corn-
wheat-soybeans during 1968-78, table 8. The standard
treatment in these experiments was 20-100-100 pounds of
N-P
2
0
5
-K
2
0 in the fall and 60 pounds nitrogen in the spring
to wheat. Corn in the rotation received 120-100-100 and
soybeans were not fertilized. Soil test values presented are
from plots that had received no phosphorus since 1957 and
no potassium or lime since 1929. The data show that even
though soil test levels of phosphorus and potassium were
Low in most cases, there was little response to either nutri-
ent by wheat. Only at the Sand Mountain Substation and
Brewton Experiment Field, which were Low in soil test
phosphorus and potassium, were responses produced by
either element. These data indicate that present recom-
TABLE 8. SOIL TEST LEVELS AND RESPONSE OF WHEAT TO P, K, AND LIME AT 6 LOCATIONS, 1968-78
Result, by location and soil type, best 7 of 11 years
Brewton Monroe- Wiregrass Pratt- Sand Tenn. Average all locations
id ville Substa- ville Mountain Valley
Item Fie Field, tion, Field, Substation, Substation, Best 7 of All 11
Benndale Lucedale Dothan 
Lucedale Hartsells Decatur 
11 years years
lfsl fsl 
scl fsl 
cl
Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bt. Bu.
Response to phosphorus
Soil test P index, 1972 ................ L60 VL50 M100 M80 L60 L70
Soil test P index, 19781 ............... VL50 VL60 M80 M80 L60 L70
Yield no P, bu. ...................... 18 24 38 40 35 50 33 28
Yield 60 P
2
0
5
, bu.................... 24 26 39 41 45 45 37 32
Increase from 60 P
2
0
5
, bu ............. 6 2 1 1 10 -5
Response to potassium
Soil test K index, 19721 ............... L60 M70 M80 M70 M80 M90
Soil test K index, 1978 ................ L60 L60 M70 ' M70 L60 M80
Yield no K 20, bu.................... 22 26 41 39 41 46 36 31
Response to lime and micronutrients
Soil pH, 1972 ...... .................... 5.0 4.8 5.2 4.9 4.8 5.4
Soil pH, 19782...... .................... 5.0 4.7 5.1 4.6 4.7 5.1
Yield, no lime, bu.................... 17 23 38 31 26 43 30 26
Yield, lime, bu....................... 24 26 41 39 45 45 37 32
Yield, lime + micronutrientR, bu...... 23 26 38 40 44 47
Increase from lime, bu .............. .. 7 3 3 8 19 2
Increase from micronutrients, bu ....... -1 0 -3 1 -1 2
'Soil test ratings - Very Low, Low, Medium, and percent sufficiency index of plots receiving no P or no K.
2
Soil pH of unlimed plots. Other plots 
limed to pH 6.0 to 6.5.
'Micronutrient mixture containing boron, zinc, manganese, copper, and iron.
[10]
mendations from the soil testing laboratory are more than
adequate for this crop. Responses to lime show the impor-
tance of maintaining pH by liming when indicated by soil
tests. No response was found from the use of micronutrients
on wheat.
The Cullars Rotation Experiment is a 3-year rotation on
Dothan loamy sand at Auburn which has been in progress
since 1911 with numerous revisions. The rotation from 1968
to 1972 was cotton-winter legume-corn-wheat-soybeans.
Data show large response to phosphorus by oats and wheat
on this soil, which was Very Low in soil test P, table 9. Wheat
produced only 11 bushels per acre compared to 24 bushels
where 60 pounds P
2
0
5 
from concentrated superphosphate
was applied. Rock phosphate does not appear to be a satisfac-
tory source of phosphorus for wheat even if applied at 120
pounds P
2
0
5 
per acre.
Wheat produced a 6-bushel response to 120 pounds of
K
2
0 but has been less responsive to potassium than have the
other crops in the rotation. This agrees with data which
showed that wheat did not respond to K at six other loca-
tions, table 8.
Lime increased wheat yield from 13 up to 24 bushels at pH
4.9. An experiment on an Allen loam soil at pH 5.2 in
Morgan County in 1981 found that lime increased wheat
yield from 27 up to 37 bushels per acre.
2 
These data support
those in table 8 emphasizing the importance of keeping pH
at satisfactory levels for this crop.
Plots that received no sulfur, and the ones that received a
micronutrient mixture containing boron, zinc, manganese,
copper, and molybdenum produced about the same yield of
oats and 4 bushels less wheat than the standard plots. This
indicates a small decrease from lack of sulfur and a possible
2
Reported by Charles Burmester.
toxicity from one of the micronutrients on wheat on this very
sandy soil.
Soil test values for pH, phosphorus, and potassium on
check plots are presented to show the relationship between
soil test levels and response, tables 8 and 9. These data are
from long-term experiments where fertility levels of the
plots have become quite stable as indicated by similar values
for 1972 and 1978, table 8. Comparison of these soil test
values for phosphorus and potassium, with present recom-
mendations from the soil testing laboratory, shows that rate
recommendations are more than would be justified by data
from these long-term experiments. The data show that
wheat is less responsive to phosphorus and potassium than
most other crops which have been grown in rotation with
wheat.
TABLE 9. YIELDS OF OATS AND WHEAT IN CULLARS ROTATION
EXPERIMENT, AUBURN, 1956-71
Rate lb./acre Yield/acre Soil test
SOats, Wheat 1971
2
0
5  
K
2
0 1956-67 1968-71 197
Bu. Bu.
Response to phosphorus
60 0 90 14 11 VL30
60 60 90 39 24 H 120
60 120 90 Rock
phosphate 45 20 EH 970
Response to potassium
60 60 0 29 20 L40
60 60 30 -- 21 M70
60 60 60 39 23 M80
60 60 90 -- 24 H90
60 60 120 -- 26 H90
Response to lime, sulfur, and micronutrients
60 60 90 No lime 32 13 pH 4.9
60 60 90 No sulfur 41 20 pH 6.1
60 60 90 Micro-
nutrients 40 20 pH 6.1
'Soil test ratings and percent sufficiency index.
DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL
Robert T. Gudauskas, Cliff G. Currier, and Austin K. Hagan
Wheat plants in all stages of growth are subject to numer-
ous diseases. Many of the important diseases of wheat are
caused by microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses,
and nematodes which parasitize the plants. Diseases may
also be caused by adverse factors in the environment, such as
nutrient deficiencies, unfavorable soil pH, drought, and
pesticide injury. It has been estimated that about 20 percent
of the world wheat crop is lost annually to diseases. Of the
nearly 200 diseases of wheat that have been described, about
50 are routinely important economically.
CURRENT RESEARCH
As with any crop, sound agronomic practices, such as
planting adapted varieties and following soil test recom-
mendations, can be important in reducing the impact of
diseases on wheat. However, effective control of many of
these diseases requires additional measures like use of
disease-free seed, planting resistant or tolerant varieties,
crop rotation, field sanitation, and spraying with pesticides.
[11]
Historically, research by the Alabama Agricultural Experi-
ment Station has focused primarily on evaluating wheat
varieties for resistance to diseases that commonly occur in
Alabama. Recently, the work has been expanded to include
testing fungicides for control of some of these diseases.
DISEASE RATINGS
Some varieties of wheat are resistant to attack by disease
agents or tolerate a disease to the extent that yields are
relatively unaffected. Some of the wheat varieties recom-
mended for planting in Alabama contain specific factors for
disease resistance whereas others do not. Even the "resist-
ant varieties" often vary in susceptibility from area to area
because of difference in type and prevalence of the disease
agent, environment, and condition of the wheat plants.
Entries in small grain variety tests planted at various loca-
tions throughout the State are evaluated annually for reac-
tions to diseases. These disease ratings are included in the
Small Grain Variety Report published each year by the
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station to aid farmers in times. Plots were rated periodically for disease severity and
selecting a wheat variety for areas where the diseases occur. harvested at crop maturity for grain yields. Fungicides
Ratings for three major diseases on wheat entries in the tested to date include anilazine (Dyrene 4F), benomyl (Ben-
1982 and 1983 variety tests are summarized in tables 10-12. late 50WP, DPX-3866 75DF), captafol (Difolatan 4F),
chlorothalonil (Bravo 500), DPX-965 75WP, DPX H-6573,
FUNGICIDE TESTS DS-57654, HWG-1608 250 EC, mancozeb (Dithane M-45,
Several fungicides, fungicide combinations, and times of DPX-7331 4F, Manzate 200), maneb (Manex 4F), pro-
application have been tested for effectiveness in controlling piconazol (proposed) (Tilt 3.6 E), RH-3866 1E, RH-5781F
wheat diseases, primarily Septoria blotch. Most of the tests 1.5 EC), SLJ-0312 50 WP, copper-sulfur [Top Cop with
were conducted at the Gulf Coast (Fairhope), Lower Coastal sulfur (50 percent S, 4.4 percent Cu)], and triadimefon
Plain (Camden), and Tennessee Valley (Belle Mina) sub- (Bayleton 2 EC, 50 WP).
stations on small plots (8 x 15 to 15 x 20 feet) of Arthur 71, In additional tests in 1982, mancozeb was applied by
Coker 68-15, Coker 747, and Coker 762 wheat. Fungicides airplane in 3 gallons of water per acre to plots (60 x 400 feet)
were applied with hand sprayers in 18-25 gallons of water of N.K.-McNair 1003 wheat in fields near Dothan. Treat-
per acre, and all treatments were replicated at least five ments were replicated four times. Plots were rated for
TABLE 10. SEPTORIA BLOTCH RATINGS FOR WHEAT VARIETIES GROWN IN ALABAMA DURING 1982-831
Ratings for north Alabama
Variety Belle Mina Crossville Winfield
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
Arthur ................................... 7 3 5 3 8 5
A rthur 71 ................................. 5 5 6 3 7 7
A uburn ................................... - 1 - 3 - 6
C aldw ell .................................. 3 - 5 - 4
C oker 68-15 ............................... 7 4 6 7 6 5
Coker 916................................. 6 4 6 4 8 7
Coker 747...................................... 6 4 6 6 4
Coker 762 ................................ 7 4 4 5 6 8
Delta Queen ............................ 4 - 4 - 7
Fillm ore .................................. - 2 - 4 - 3
G eorgia 1123 .............................. 5 4 5 5 7 4
Hart ..................................... 6 - 4 4 7 3
H W 3006 ................................. - 5 - 5 - 3
H W 3007 ................................. - 3 - 6 - 2
N.K.-M cNair 1003 ......................... 3 4 4 6 8 8
N.K.-McNair 1813 ........................ 7 6 5 6 9 8
N.K. 79810 ............................... 6 - 4 8 4
Pioneer 2550 .............................. 6 3 4 3 6 4
Roy ...................................... 5 4 5 4 7 4
Southern Belle ............................ 7 4 6 4 9 7
Stacy .................................... 7 4 4 3 7 7
Wakeland ................................. 4 5 5 3 7 5
Ratings for central Alabama
Marion Junction Camp Hill Prattville Tallassee
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
A be ................................ 6 4 5 3 5 2 5 4
Arthur.............................. 5 3 3 2 5 2 6 6
Arthur 71........................... 4 4 5 3 6 3 5 5
Auburn............................. - 3 - 2 - 2 - 5
Caldw ell............................ - 3 - 3 - 3 - 5
Coker 68-15......................... 6 5 4 4 5 3 6 6
Coker 916........................... 5 3 2 3 6.5 3 6.5 6
Coker 747........................... 4 3 5 3 5 2 5 5
Coker 762........................... 4 3 2 3 4 3 6 7
Doublecrop ......................... . 5 3 5 3 6 3 7 5
Fillm ore ............................ . . 3 - 3 - 5 - 6
Florida301.......................... 6 4 3 8 5 2 5.5 8
H unter ............................. 6 4 2 6 6 3 6 7
H W 3006 ........................... - 3 - 5 4 6
H W 3007 .................... ....... - 3 - 3 - 3 - 6
N.K.-McNair 1003 ................... 6 4 2 5 4 3 6 7
N.K.-McNair 1813 ................... 7 3 6 3 7 4 7 8
N .K . 79810.......................... 4 - 4 - 4 7
Omega 78............................5.5 5 4 2 6 4 5 7
Pioneer 2550 ......................... 3 3 3 3 5 4 5 5
Roy ................................ 4 2 4 4 4 2 5 6
Southern Belle........................7 2 6 3 7 3 6.5 6
Stacy ............................... 5 5 5 3 5 3 5 5
Terral 81-12 ..........................- . 3 - 3 - 3 - 4
Terral800-22.................. ...... 6 3 3 2 5 3
W akeland .................. ......... 3 4 3 3 5 2 6 6
(Continued)
[12]
(Continued) TABLE 10. SEPTORIA BLOTCH RATINGS FOR WHEAT VARIETIES GROWN IN ALABAMA DURING 1982-83
Ratings for south Alabama
Fairhope Brewton Monroeville Headland Camden
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
Arthur 71 .................. - 4 3 4 3 3 2 3 4 3
Auburn .................... - 5 - 4 - 3 - 3 2
Caldwell ................... - 5 - 4 - 2 - 4 - 1
Coker 68-15 ................ 5 6 5 4 5 5 4 3 3 5
Coker 916................. 2 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2
Coker 747 ................. - 4 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 2
Coker 762 .................. 5 8 4 2 3 3 6 2 2 2
Coker 797................... 8 - 7 - 7 - 8 - 5
Doublecrop ................ 3 6 4 3 2 2 3 4 3 3
Fillm ore ................... - 6 - 4 - 4 - 1 - 4
Florida 301 ................. 6 9 8 6 6 4 6 4 4 4
Holley ..................... 4 7 6 4 4 1 5 4 3 2
Hunter .................... 7 4 7 3 5 4 5 3 4 1
HW 3006 .................. - 5 - 5 - 4 - 1 - 3
HW 3007 .................. - 5 - 4 - 2 - 3 - 4
N.K.-McNair 1003 .......... 3 8 6 5 4 3 6 1 4 3
N.K.-McNair 1813 .......... 4 8 8 4 5 2 7 4 3 4
Pioneer 2550 ............... - 6 4 3 3 4 2 5 0 4
Roy ....................... 3 5 5 5 3 3 2 2 1
Southern Belle............... 4 6 5 3 5 3 3 2 2 2
Terral 81-12 ................ - 6 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3
Terral 800-22 ................ 5 - - - 3 5 4 3 2 5
W akeland .................. 4 3 4 3 3 2 6 3 2 2
10-9 scale: 0 = no disease, 9 = severe disease.
disease severity when the crop was in the milk stage, and a maneb (Dithane M-22, Dithane M-45, Granox NM, Graino-
swath (14 x 200 feet) was harvested from each plot for grain lum, Manzate 200), PCNB (Terra-Coat LT-2, Terra Coat SD
yields at crop maturity. 205), and thiram (Arasan 50-Red). Delaying planting to
lessen exposure of seedlings to warm soil temperatures may
SEEDLING BLIGHTS also help.
These diseases are caused primarily by fungi that live in TAKE-ALL
the soil. Death of wheat seedlings before or after emergence Take-all is caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis, a soil-
is the result of early attack by the fungi. borne fungus that attacks the roots, crowns, and lower stems
Use of clean or fungicide-treated seed will reduce seed- of wheat plants. The disease is so named because of the
ling blights. Fungicides available for treatment of wheat devastating effects it has been known to have on wheat
seed include captan (Captan 25, Isotox Seed Treater, Ortho- crops. Take-all has long been recognized as a serious prob-
cide 4F, Orthocide 75-3, Soil Treater X), captan-carboxin lem on wheat in temperate climates; however, it was not
(Orthocide-Vitavax 20-20), carboxin-thiram (Vitavax T, Vit- discovered in Alabama until the spring of 1983. Occurrence
avax 200), captan-PCNB (Ortho Soil Treater 3X), mancozeb/ of take-all has now been confirmed in Cullman, Jackson,
TABLE 11. POWDERY MILDEW RATINGS FOR WHEAT VARIETIES GROWN IN ALABAMA DURING 1982-831
Ratings for north Alabama
Variety Belle Mina Crossville Winfield
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
A rthur.................................... 5 4 7 7 0-
A rthur 71................................. 4 4 9 8 0
A uburn................................... - 0 - 5-
C aldw ell.................................. - 2 - 7 - 0
Coker 68-15................................. 0 5 7 8 0 0
C oker 916................................. 0 5 4 3 0-
Coker 747................................. 0 4 6 7 0 0
C oker 762................................. 0 5 0 5 0-
D elta Q ueen .............................. 0 - 3 - 0
F illm ore.................................. - 0 - 5
Georgia ll23.............................. 0 3 4 7 0 0
H art...................................... 0 - 8 7 0
H W 3006 ................................. - 7 - 8
H W 3007................................. - 3 - 6 -
N.K.-M cNair 1003 ......................... 0 0 5 5 0
N .K.-M cNair 1813 ......................... 0 7 0 6 0
N .K . 79810................................ 0 - 4 - 0
Pioneer 2550 .............................. 0 3 6 8 0
R oy ...................................... 0 - 8 8 0
Southern Belle............................. 0 6 6 5 0
Stacy..................................... 0 0 0 3 0
Wakeland................................ 0 5 0 3 0
(Continued)
[13]
(Continued) TABLE 11. POWDERY MILDEWX RATINGS FOR WHEAT VARIETIES CROWN IN ALABAMVA DU RING 1982-83'
Ratings for central Alabama
Marion junction Camp Hill Prattville Tallassee
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
Abe............................
Arthur..........................
Arthur 71.........................
Auburn.........................
Caldwell.........................
Coker 68-15......................
Coker 916.......................
Coker 747.......................
Coker 762.......................
Doublecrop.......................
Fillmore.........................
Florida 301......................
Hunter.........................
HW 3006 ........................
HW 3007 .........................
N.K.-McNair 1003 ..................
N.K. -McNair 1813 ..................
N. K. 79810 ........................
Omega 78 ........................
Pioneer 2550......................
Roy .............................
Southern Belle .....................
Stacy.................................
Terral 81-12.......................
Terral 800-22......................
Wakeland ........................
7
7.5
7
8
5
6.5
5
8.5
2
5.5
6
4
7
5.5
7
8.5
8
3
0
6.5
7
8
6
8.5
5
8
5.5
9
0
5
5
6
7
6
8
7.5
7
6
6
Ratings for south Alabama
Fairhope Brewton Monroeville Headland Camden
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
Arthur71.....................- - 7 2 0 0 - 1 7 2
Auburn..................... 0 - 2 - 0 2 - 0
Caldwell.....................- - - 0 - 3 - 1 0
Coker68-15..................0 0 8 3 7 3 7.5 7 7 0
Coker 916....................4 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 2 0
Coker 747................... - 0 7 3 3 4 3 6 0
Coker762 ................... 0 - 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 2
Coker 797....... ...........- - 4 
0 - 6 0
Doublecrop...................7 0 8 5 6 0 7 4 6.5 0
Fillmore.................... - - - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
Florida 30.................. 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Holley .......................0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hunter......................0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
HW 3006.....................- 4 - 5 - 4 - 6 - 4
HW 3007 ..................- - 0 2 - 0-0
N.K. -McNair 1003 ..... - - 4- 3 0 0 4 0
N.K.McNair1813............ 0- - 0 4 0 0 3 0
Pioneer2550 0 7 0 5 0 3 4 4 3
Roy........................ 6 - 9 5 6 4 7 6 6 3
Southern Belle............... 5 7 4 5 2 6 3 5 0
Terral81 12.................. - 0 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
Terral 800-22................ 0-- - 0 0 - 2 0 0
Wakeland................... 0 0 6 0 4 0 7 3 5 0
10-9 scale: 0 no disease, 9 severe disease.
Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan
counties. This apparent wide-spread occurrence, plus ob-
servations by county agents and farmers, indicates that
take-all was present in previous years.
Generally, incidence and severity of take-all were low in
most fields examined in 1983. However, there were a few
fields in which losses to the disease were estimated at 50
percent or higher. Damage was heaviest in fields that had
been planted to wheat for 5 or 6 successive years. Little
damage was noted in fields where wheat had not been grown
for more than 2 successive years. The cool, wet spring
probably contributed to the severity of take-all; however,
successive cropping of wheat appeared to be the chief factor
in the pronounced
1983.
outbreak of the disease in Alabama in
Plants infected with the take-all fungus are stunted and
chlorotic,and often have few tillers. Stems and heads of
diseased plants turn tan-colored to white at the time of grain
filling in green, healthy plants. Diseased plants occur in
scattered patches ranging in size from a few, figure 4, to
several feet to sometimes acres in diameter, figure 5. Se-
verely diseased plants are easily pulled from the soil because
rotted roots break off, leaving plants with short, brittle, and
dark-colored roots, figure 6. The black-brown dry rot also
extends into the crown and lower stem, and a superficial,
dark-colored mass of fungus growth (mycelium) develops on
the lower stem beneath the leaf sheath, figure 7. Black,
[141
flask-shaped reproductive bodies (perithecia) of the fungus
may be found embedded in the leaf sheath.
The fungus persists as mycelium or perithecia primarily in
crop debris in the soil, and is most active in the soil at
temperatures of 54-68
0
F (12-20'C) and high soil moisture
levels. Infection generally takes place as mycelia growing
through the soil come in contact with wheat roots. Spores are
considered a minor source of inoculum. Movement of in-
fested soil or crop debris by farm machinery, wind, or water
is the primary means by which the fungus is dispersed from
field to field.
Rotation is the best control for take-all. Land should not
be planted to wheat for more than 3 successive seasons,and
fields with a severe take-all problem should be kept out of
wheat for at least 2 years. Cotton, full season soybeans, corn,
and sorghum are suitable for rotation. Other small grains or
pasture grasses should not be substituted as winter cover
crops; however, leguminous cover crops are acceptable
substitutes for wheat. Maintenance of fertility at soil test
recommendation levels will promote root growth and differ-
entiation, and thereby aid in reducing effects of take-all.
Excessive liming and application of nitrate nitrogen re-
portedly favor the disease.
STEM RUST
This disease is caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis f.
sp. tritici. It is similar to leaf rust except that the pustules are
reddish-brown and the epidermis of diseased tissues is
ruptured, figure 8. There are several races of this fungus. In
1974, stem rust caused extensive damage and yield losses in
TABLE 12. LEAF RUST RATINGS FOR WHEAT VARIETIES GROWN IN ALABAMA DURING 1982-83'
Ratings for north Alabama
Variety Belle Mina Crossville Winfield
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
A rthur.................................... 3 3 0 0 6 0
Arthur 71 ................................. 4 3 0 0 9 0
A uburn................................... - 0 - 0 - 0
C aldw ell .................................. - 2 - 0 - 0
C oker 68-15 ............................... 1 3 0 0 6 0
Coker 916. ................................. 0 0 0 0 0 2
C oker 747 ................................. 0 4 0 0 9 0
C oker 762................................. 0 0 
0 0 0
D elta Q ueen .............................. 0 - 0 - 0
Fillmore ............................... - 0 -
0 - -
G eorgia 1123 .............................. 2 2 0 0 7 0
Hart .................................... 6 8 0 0 
9-
HW 3006 ................................ - 0 
- 0-
H W 3007 ................................. - 3 
- 0
N.K.-M cNair 1003 ................... ...... 7 6 0 
0 9
N .K.-M cNair 1813 ......................... 0 5 0 
0 8
N.K. 79810................................ 4 -
0 - 9
Pioneer 2550 .............................. 0 2 
0 0 8
Roy ........... ................... ......... 2 5 
0 0 8
Southern Belle . ............................ 0 0 0 7
Stacy ............................... ........ 4 4 
0 0 9
W akeland ................................. 2 
2 0 0 9
Ratings for central Alabama
Marion Junction Camp Hill Prattville Tallassee
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
Abe ................................ 8 7 0 0 6 3 9 7
Arthur.............................. 8 1 0 0 5.5 3 7 7
Arthur 71........................... 8 7 3 0 6 3 5 7
Auburn ............................. - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
Caldw ell............................ - 0 - 0 - 1 - 3
Coker 68-15......................... 2 1 0 0 0 3 0 7
Coker 916........................... 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1
Coker747........................... 6 2 2 0 6 0 6.5 6
Coker762........................... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Doublecrop ......................... 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fillm ore ............................ - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
Florida 301.......................... 0 0 0 0 0 0 
0-
H unter ............................. 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1
H W 3006 ........................... - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1
H W 3007........................... - 2 - 0 - 0 - 7
N.K.-McNair 1003 ................... 8 1 0 0 7 2 8.5 7
N.K.-McNair 1813 ................... 5 0 0 0 0 
0 8.5-
N .K. 79810........................... 3 - 2 - 4 
- 7.5-
Omega 78........................... 0 1 0 0 4.5 0 4 7
Pioneer2550 ........................ 2 3 0 0 0 2 0 5
R oy ................................ 2 1 0 0 4 2 6 6
Southern Belle....................... 7 0 0 0 5 0 4 6
Stacy............................... 7 1 0 0 5 0 8.5 5
Terral 281-12 .......................... - 0 - 0 - 0 - 4
TerralS800-22........................ 3 6 3 0 7.5 
1 9-
W akeland........................... 0 3 3 0 0 0 7 6
(Continued)
[15]
(Continued) TABLE 12. LEAF RUST RATINGS FOR WHEAT VARIETIES GRowN IN ALABAMA DURING 1982-83
Ratings for south Alabama
Fairhope Brewton Monroeville Headland Camden
1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983 1982 1983
Arthur ..................
Auburn .................
Caldwell ................
Coker 68-15..............
Coker 916...............
Coker 747...............
Coker 762...............
Coker 797...............
Doublecrop ................
Fillm ore ...................
Florida 301..............
H olley .. ..................
Hunter ...................
H W 3006 ..................
H W 3007 ..................
N.K.-McNair 1003 .........
N.K.-MeNair 1813 .........
Pioneer 2550 ...............
R oy .. ....................
Southern Belle.............
Terral 81-12................
Terral 800-12...............
Wakeland..................
9 7
- 3
- 4
4 5
3 0
8 6
8 3
- 0
- 0
0 3
5 0
5 3
0 0
7 -
4 3
- 0
0 0
0 0
0 2
- 0
- 5
8 2
4 2
0 4
6 3
6 3
- 0
9 8
6 2
6 4
- 0
- 0
4 2
3 0
7 0
0 0
4
0 0
- 0
0 0
0 1
0 0
- 2
- 3
8 3
4 2
0 0
4 2
5 3
- 0
0 7
5 0
9 1
- 1
- 3
0 0
3 0
4 3
0 0
0
3 3
- 1
0 0
4 0
0 0
- 0
- 5
9 1
7 4
3 3
3 0
5 1
- 0
8.5 1
6 0
10-9 scale: 0= no disease, 9= severe disease.
a couple of varieties in some areas, but in recent years has
been of little importance on varieties commonly grown in
the State. Use of resistant varieties is the control method for
stem rust.
LEAF RUST
Leaf rust is caused by the fungus, Puccinia recondita f. sp.
tritici. The disease usually is widespread in Alabama and can
be very damaging to susceptible varieties. In many areas of
the State in 1982, leaf rust occurred early and continued
throughout the growing season, and yields of susceptible
varieties often were greatly reduced.
Leaf rust is characterized by small, yellow-orange pust-
ules or masses of spores on leaves and leaf sheaths, figure 9.
These are disseminated to other plants. Heavily infected
leaves turn yellow and die. In later stages of the life cycle of
the fungus, black masses of spores may become apparent.
Although leaf rust can be reduced by spraying with fun-
gicides, tables 13, 15, 16, 18, use of resistant varieties, table
12, currently is considered the most economical means of
controlling this disease. Control is complicated by the exis-
tence of races of the causal fungus which have differing
capabilities to infect different varieties of wheat. Statewide
collections of leaf rust are made annually and sent to the
USDA Cereal Rust Laboratory at the University of Min-
nesota to determine number and kinds of races present in
Alabama.
POWDERY MILDEW
Powdery mildew is caused by the fungus, Erysiphe gra-
minis f. sp. tritici. The disease occurs commonly on wheat
and can be a serious problem under favorable conditions.
Powdery mildew reached epidemic proportions in many
plantings throughout the State in 1982.
Powdery mildew usually becomes prevalent during cool,
cloudy days of early spring and first appears as dirty-white
powdery patches on leaves and leaf sheaths, figure 10. The
powder consists of mycelia and spores of the fungus. The
[16]
fungus is usually most prevalent on the upper surface of
lower leaves but can infect all aerial portions of the plant.
Flag leaves were heavily infected in many wheat fields in
1982 and occurrence of powdery mildew on heads was not
uncommon. As the season progresses, the white powdery
growth turns dull gray-brown with small black bodies scat-
tered throughout. These are reproductive bodies that are
able to survive dry periods and winter months.
Wheat plants are most susceptible to powdery mildew
when they are rapidly growing. Disease development is
favored by heavy nitrogen fertilization, dense stands of
susceptible varieties, high humidity, and cool temperatures.
Use of resistant varieties is perhaps the best means of
control for powdery mildew, table 11. The disease can be
reduced with fungicides, tables 15 and 16; however, occur-
rence of powdery mildew in experimental plots has been too
sporadic to determine possible yield response to fungicide
treatments.
SEPTORIA LEAF AND GLUME BLOTCH
Septoria leaf and glume blotch is one of the most wide-
spread and damaging diseases of wheat in Alabama. It is
caused by the fungus Septoria nodorum that attacks the
leaves, leaf sheaths, upper stem, and head of wheat plants.
Septoria blotch can cause losses by reducing seed size and
weight.
On leaves, symptoms of Septoria blotch begin as small,
dark spots that later enlarge to boat-shaped lesions that are
tan to brown or black and measure 1/4inch or more in length,
figure 11. Tiny, round black structures may be'seen in the
lesions. These are the spore-producing bodies, or pyenidia,
of the fungus.
The disease appears on wheat heads as a gray to brown
discoloration of the glumes or outer coverings of the kernels,
figure 12. Pyenidia are formed in abundance on the diseased
glumes, figure 13.
7 1
- 0
- 0
3 1
0 0
5 0
0 0
0
0 0
- 0
0 0
2 0
0
- 0
- 3
6 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
3 2
- 0
2 0
4 0
The fungus survives between crops on seed and in wheat
debris in the soil. Spore production, spread, and infection
are favored by warm wet weather. Generally, such condi-
tions occur in the spring months in most parts of the State;
however, weather conditions conducive for Septoria blotch
can also develop in the fall and winter.
Use of resistant varieties is an effective control for some
diseases of wheat. However, most of the varieties commonly
grown in Alabama are susceptible to Septoria blotch, table
10. Other control measures include use of disease-free or
fungicide-treated seed, rotation with a non-cereal, and
spraying with fungicide.
Control of Septoria blotch and significant yield increases
reportedly have been obtained with aerial applications of
mancozeb. Results with this and other fungicides tested in
recent years at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
are presented in tables 13-17. Several fungicides reduced
the severity of Septoria blotch, and, in general, when the
disease developed to significant levels, yield increases were
associated with treatments that gave maximum disease
control.
Greatest general yield increases obtained to date occurred
in 1982 at the Gulf Coast Substation where yields from plots
of Coker 68-15 wheat sprayed with fungicides were 20-100
percent higher than those of the unsprayed control plots,
table 16. Leaf rust was prevalent in the test and several
treatments gave good control of this disease. However,
maximum yield increases were usually associated with
TABLE 13. DISEASE SEVERITIES AND GRAIN YIELDS FOR PLOTS OF ARTHUR 71 WHEAT SPRAYED WITH FUNGICIDES, LOWER COASTAL PLAIN SUBSTATION, CAMDEN
Disease severity
3
Fungicide, grams a.i./acre' Application stage
"  
Septoria blotch Leaf Yield/acre
Leaf Glume 
rust
Bu.
Benomyl (227)
(113.5) + mancozeb (363.2)
Captafol (454)
Chlorothalonil (473.1)
(473.1)
(709.6)
(709.6)
Mancozeb (726.4)
None (check)
Benomyl (56.7) + mancozeb (544.8)
(56.7) (726.4)
(113.5) (544.8)
(113.5) (726.4)
Captafol (454)
Chlorothalonil (354.8)
(473.1)
(709.6)
(946.2)
Mancozeb (726.4)
None (check)
Benomyl (56.7) + DPX 7331F (733.2)
(113.5) (560.7)
(56.7) + propiconazol (51.1)
(56.7) + triadimefon (56.7)
Chlorothalonil (354.8)
(473.1)
(946.2)
Mancozeb (726.4)
Maneb (544.8)
(726.4)
Propiconazol (102.1)
None (check)
Benomyl (113.5)
(56.7) + propiconazol (50)
(56.7) + triadimefon (56.7)
Chlorothalonil (473.1)
(473.1)
(473.1)
Mancozeb (726.4)
Propiconazol (50)
(75)
(75)
Triadimefon (56.7)
(56.7) + SLJ 0312 (340.5)
None (check)
1978
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5
10.3,10.5,11.1
1979
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
10, 10.5
10, 10.5
9
9, 10, 10.5
1980
9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
9, 10.5
10
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
9, 10.5
9, 10.5
1982
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
7, 9
8, 10
9, 10.1
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
8
10
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
'Grams of active ingredient per acre.
2
Feekes' scale: 7 = jointing, 8 
= flag leafjust visible, 9 =
fully emerged, 11.1 = milk stage.
30-5 scale: 0 = disease free, 5 = severely 
diseased.
*Disease did not develop.
flag leaf emerged, 10 = late boot, 10.1 head emerging, 10.3
head half emerged, 10.5 = head
[17]
3.4
2.6
1.0
1.0
1.8
1.0
1.0
2.8
4.2
.8
1.0
1.0
.4
.8
1.0
1.6
.8
1.8
1.0
2.8
2.4
2.6
1.4
1.9
2.3
1.8
2.5
2.1
2.7
.7
1.0
.8
1.0
.7
1.3
.8
.7
2.1
1.0
1.8
.8
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.0
1.6
2.8
1.2
2.0
2.0
1.0
2.0
*
37.7
34.7
37.4
35.4
37.6
37.7
36.2
37.0
36.7
33.9
34.4
34.9
38.4
34.0
33.9
31.1
33.6
33.7
34.9
31.1
37.7
36.7
39.0
37.3
35.9
36.3
34.7
39.8
36.8
37.0
38.6
36.8
29.2
32.3
31.0
31.7
28.8
29.8
28.5
34.2
35.2
33.6
32.0
30.1
27.6
2.2
1.4
0
0
1.4
2.4
3.0
1.2
2.4
3.0
0
2.4
4.0
1.0
1.2
3.6
4.0
3.2
3.2
.8
2.4
2.4
2.2
3.0
4.8
% X
treatments that gave the highest levels of control of Septoria
blotch, particularly on the glumes. At the Lower Coastal
Plain Substation in 1982, several treatments controlled Sep-
toria blotch on flag leaves of Coker 68-15; however, the
disease did not develop to any appreciable level on glumes,
and yields showed little response to fungicide treatments,
table 14. Incidence of Septoria blotch was also insignificant
on glumes of Coker 747 wheat in test plots on the Tennessee
Valley Substation in 1982, the first year of testing at that
location. However, yield increases up to 28 percent were
TABLE 14. DISEASE SEVERITIES AND GRAIN YIELDS FOR PLOTS OF COKER 68-15 WHEAT SPRAYED WITH FUNGICIDES, LOWER COASTAL PLAIN SUBSTATION, CAMDEN
Septoria blotch severity' Yield/acre
Fungicide, grams a. i./acre Application stage
2  
Leaf Glume
Bu.
Benomyl (227)
(113.5) + mancozeb (363.2)
Captafol (454)
Chlorothalonil (473.1)
(473.1)
(709.6)
(709.6)
Mancozeb (726.4)
None (check)
Benomyl (56.7) + mancozeb (544.8)
(56.7) (726.4)
(113.5) (544.8)
(113.5) (726.4)
Captafol (454)
Chlorothalonil (354.8)
(473.1)
(709.6)
(946.2)
Mancozeb (726.4)
None (check)
Benomyl (56.7) + DPX 7331F (733.2)
(113.5) (560.7)
(56.7) + propiconazol (51.1)
(56.7) + triadimefon (56.7)
Chlorothalonil (354.8)
(473.1)
(946.2)
Mancozeb (726.4)
Maneb (726.4)
(544.8)
Propiconazol (102.1)
None (check)
Benomyl (113.5) + mancozeb (544.8)
(113.5) (544.8)
(113.5) + propiconazol (51.1)
(113.5) + triadimefon (56.7)
DPX 3866 (112.9) + mancozeb (544.8)
Mancozeb (726.4)
Maneb (726.4)
(726.4)
Propiconazol (102.1)
(51.1)
Sulfur (1316.6) + copper (113.5)
Triadimefon (113.5)
(56.7)
None (check)
Benomyl (113.5)
(56.7) + propiconazol (50)
(56.7) + triadimefon (56.7)
Chlorothalonil (473.1)
(473.1)
(473.1)
Mancozeb (726.4)
Propiconazol (50)'
(75)
(75)
Triadimefon (56.7)
(56.7) + SLJ 0312 (340.5)
None (check)
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3, 10.5
10.3,10.5,11.1
10.3, 10.5
10.3,10.5,11.1
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10, 10.5
10, 10.5
10, 10.5
9
9, 10, 10.5
9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
9, 10.5
10
7, 9, 10.5
9, 10.5
7, 9, 10.5
9, 10.5
7, 9
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9
7, 9
7, 9
7, 9, 10.5
7, 9
7, 9, 10.5
7
7, 9
7, 9
7, 9
7, 9, 10.5
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
7, 9
8, 10
9, 10.1
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
8
10
8, 10.1
8, 10.1
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
4.0
4.0
1.8
1.4
3.0
1.6
2.6
3.6
4.1
1.0
.2
.8
.2
.8
.6
1.4
.6
3.0
1.2
3.6
*
2.3
2.6
1.6
1.9
2.9
2.2
2.6
2.5
2.9
1.2
.9
1.1
.8
.9
1.0
.9
1.0
1.9
1.1
2.6
2.7
3.0
.4
4.6
2.4
2.4
3.6
2.6
3.4
3.6
.7
5.0
.7
.3
.8
1.0
.4
.4
.7
.8
.4
.9
.9
.8
1.2
1.2
_*
.9
1.0
0
1.4
1.2
.9
.8
1.3
.3
.2
1.3
1.5
2.3
2.2
3.2
.4
3.8
1.2
1.8
.2
1.2
.4
1.8
2.0
2.8
1.2
3.8
32.1
30.9
33.6
32.3
30.1
30.2
32.9
28.7
30.0
38.0
38.6
37.4
42.0
37.3
37.0
36.9
35.2
37.3
34.5
31.8
31.1
31.4
35.6
28.2
31.9
31.6
30.4
32.6
30.5
28.3
36.0
27.9
66.0
61.4
70.8
60.7
64.2
65.5
65.8
64.9
67.8
68.6
61.8
66.9
62.1
62.0
28.2
25.3
24.4
26.6
25.0
30.4
26.3
25.4
27.9
25.3
28.3
29.5
27.3
'Grams of active ingredient per acre.
2
Feekes' scale: 7 = jointing, 8 = flag 
leafjust visible, 9
fully emerged, 11.1 = milk stage.
0-5 scale: 0 = disease free, 5 = severely diseased.
*Disease did not develop.
= flag leafemerged, 10 = late boot, 10.1 head emerging, 10.3 = head halfemerged, 10.5 = head
[18]
D,,,,,.I /1~~ er\ I ,,,,,,,1, /rAA O\ ~I n
associated with treatments that controlled Septoria blotch
on flag leaves, table 17. Fungicide tests were conducted
again in 1983 at the Gulf Coast, Lower Coastal Plain, and
Tennessee Valley substations. Disease incidence and sever-
ity were uniformly low throughout the tests at all three
locations, hence disease and yield data are not included in
this report.
Results to date indicate that two applications of fungicide
are required for effective control of Septoria blotch, one at
flag leaf emergence to protect the flag leaf and a second at
head emergence to protect the head. An additional appli-
cation prior to flag leaf emergence may be necessary in years
of early disease occurrence or in areas of anticipated severe
disease development.
Presently, mancozeb is the only fungicide labeled for
Septoria blotch control on wheat. Results obtained in Ala-
bama and other states have indentified several fungicides
and combinations that show good potential for control.
Additional research on rates and time of application is
needed to determine their practical effectiveness.
LOOSE SMUT
Loose smut, caused by the fungus Ustilago tritici, is
common in wheat fields in Alabama but rarely has caused
serious or widespread losses. However, this disease can
become a serious problem if control measures are ignored.
The heads of smut-affected wheat plants are destroyed and
become masses of dark brown to black spores. The spores are
dispersed to healthy flowers and the subsequently develop-
ing seed become infected. When infected seed is planted the
following season, the fungus develops with the plant and the
characteristic smutted head eventually results, figure 14.
Since this fungus occurs within the tissues of seed,
surface-active chemical seed treatments are of no value.
Smut can be controlled by treatment of seed with systemic
chemicals like carboxin (Vitavax, Vitavax 25 DB, Vitavax
200, Vitavax T, Orthocide-Vitavax 20-20) which eradicate
the fungus. Use of certified, disease-free seed and growing
resistant varieties are also valuable control measures.
HEAD BLIGHT OR SCAB
Scab is caused by fungi in the genus Fusarium and occurs
sporadically on wheat throughout the State. The most obvi-
ous symptom is premature death or blighting of one or more
spikelets, producing a bleached or whitened appearance in
the infected part of the head, figure 15. The entire head may
be killed. The bleached or yellowed spikelet(s) of a scab-
affected head is quite obvious against healthy green heads.
At normal maturity of wheat, pink spore masses are usually
apparent at the base of infected spikelets.
Scabbed heads produce less grain and the grain is poorly
filled. Also, the grain may be less palatable to livestock and
sometimes contains mycotoxins that affect man and some
animals.
To date, the disease has not been a problem on wheat
varieties commonly grown in Alabama. Chemical seed
treatment (see page 13), crop rotation, and plowing to bury
crop debris help in controlling scab.
BARLEY YELLOW DWARF
Barley yellow dwarf is a virus disease which was not
recognized in the United States until the early 1950's. The
name is derived from initial discovery of the disease in
TABLE 15. DISEASE SEVERITIES AND GRAIN YIELDS FOR PLOTS OF ARTHUR 71 WHEAT SPRAYED WITH FUNGICIDES, GULF COAST SUBSTATION, FAIRHOPE
Disease severity
3
Fungicide, grams a.i./acre' Application stage
2  
Septoria blotch Leaf Powdery Yield/
Leaf Glume rust 
mildew acre
Bu.
1979
Benomyl (56.7) + mancozeb (544.8) 9, 10, 10.5 0.6 1.8 -* 2.5 23.2
(56.7) (726.4) 9, 10, 10.5 .8 2.2 - 2.5 20.6
(113.5) (544.8) 9, 10, 10.5 .4 1.6 - 2.1 22.6
(113.5) (726.4) 9, 10, 10.5 .4 1.5 - 1.5 26.4
Captafol (454) 9, 10, 10.5 1.2 1.7 - 4.4 24.2
Chlorothalonil (354.8) 9, 10, 10.5 1.0 2.3 - 4.6 20.6
(473.1) 10, 10.5 1.2 2.6 - 4.8 19.7
(709.6) 10, 10.5 1.0 1.6 - 4.2 25.2
(946.2) 9 2.6 2.5 - 4.2 25.1
Mancozeb (726.4) 9, 10, 10.5 .6 1.8 - 3.1 23.2
None (check) 3.6 2.4 - 4.3 21.9
1981
Benomyl (113.5) + mancozeb (544.8) 7, 9 * -* 1.7 * 61.8
(113.5) (544.8) 7, 9, 10.5- - .8 - 69.3
(113.5) + propiconazol (51.1) 7, 9 - - .7 - 66.3
(113.5) + triadimefon (56.7) 7, 9 - - .6 - 68.9
Mancozeb (726.4) 7, 9, 10.5- - 1.1 - 67.8
(544.8) + DPX 3866 (112.9) 7, 9 - - .9 - 62.1
Maneb (726.4) 7, 9 - - 1.3 - 66.2
(726.4) 7, 9, 10.5 - - 1.2 - 69.5
Propiconazol (51.1) 7, 9 - - 0 - 67.2
(102.1) 7 - - 1.2 - 63.9
Sulfur (1316.6) + copper (113.5) 7, 9 - - 3.1 - 63.4
Triadimefon (56.7) 7, 9, 10.5 - - .1- 64.6
(113.5) 7, 9 - - .1 - 60.0
None (check) - - 2.9 - 64.1
'Grams of active ingredient per acre.
2
Feekes' scale: 7 = jointing, 9 = flag leaf emerged, 
10 -= late boot, 10.5 =
30-5 scale: 0 = disease free, 5 
severely diseased.
*Disease did not develop.
[19]
head fully emerged.
FIG. 4. Wheat field showing small patch killed by the take-all fungus. FIG. 5. Wheat field
showing large areas killed by the take-all fungus. FIG. 6. Degenerate roots and darkened
stem bases indicative of take-all. FIG. 7. Dark, superficial mycelium of take-all fungus on
stem base of wheat plant (right); healthy plant (left). FIG. 8. Wheat stem with pustules of
stem rust. FIG. 9. Wheat leaves with pustules of leaf rust.
\> /
t9
\f<
V
-Is
A
FIG. 10. Powdery mildew on wheat leaves. FIG. 11. Symptoms of
Septoria blotch on wheat leaves. FIG. 12. Symptoms of Septoria
glume blotch on wheat heads. FIG. 13. Closeup of Septoria glume
blotch lesions with pycnidia (speckles). FIG. 14. Wheat head with
loose smut. FIG. 15. Wheat head with scab.
P.'
T
V
rdr
A MW*%A
Y1 A a
U
c
j -:I
--
i
barley. Occurrence of barley yellow dwarf in Alabama had
been suspected for many years but was not confirmed until
1975 when the causal virus was experimentally transmitted
from diseased wheat and oat plants.
Symptoms of barley yellow dwarf are variable among the
various hosts and within genotypes of the same host. In the
cereals commonly grown in Alabama, symptoms are usually
most severe in oats, somewhat less in barley, and least
severe in wheat. Some stunting occurs in most diseased
plants. Leaf discoloration begins at the tips of leaves, and can
range from a light chlorosis to a brilliant yellow in barley. Oat
leaves may become red or purple, hence the disease is often
called red leaf in this crop. Depending on susceptibility of
the host and the stage at which infection occurs, curling,
serration of margins, and other leaf distortions may develop.
Similarity of barley yellow dwarf symptoms to those of other,
often nonparasitic, disorders frequently makes diagnosis
difficult.
The barley yellow dwarf virus is spread by the feeding
activities of aphids, of which about 14 different species are
known to transmit the virus.
The incidence and importance of barley yellow dwarf in
wheat in Alabama are not known.
TABLE 16. DISEASE SEVERITIES AND GRAIN YIELDS FOR PLOTS OF COKER 68-15 WHEAT SPRAYED WITH FUNGICIDES, GULF COAST SUBSTATION, FAIRHOPE
Disease severity
3
Fungicide, grams a.i./acrel Application stage
2  
Septoria blotch Leaf Powdery Yield/
Leaf Glume rust 
mildew acre
Bu.
1979
Benomyl (56.7) + mancozeb (544.8) 9, 10, 10.5 1.6 1.8 -* 2.5 30.0
(56.7) (726.4) 9, 10, 10.5 1.0 1.6 - 3.2 27.4
(113.5) (544.8) 9, 10, 10.5 2.0 1.8 - 2.3 26.6
(113.5) (726.4) 9, 10, 10.5 1.2 1.3 - 3.0 29.0
Captafol (454) 9, 10, 10.5 1.6 1.7 - 4.4 24.8
Chlorothalonil (354.8) 9, 10, 10.5 2.5 2.1 - 4.3 24.2
(473.1) 10, 10.5 1.6 1.8 - 4.5 25.2
(709.6) 10, 10.5 1.2 1.7 - 4.1 25.5
(946.2) 9 3.2 1.8 - 4.8 27.8
Mancozeb (726.4) 9, 10, 10.5 1.6 1.7 - 3.5 27.4
None (check) 4.8 2.7 - 4.3 23.2
1981
Benomyl (113.5) + mancozeb (544.8) 7, 9 -* .4 * 74.2
(113.5) (544.8) 7, 9, 10.5 - 1.0 - - 75.9
(113.5) + propiconazol (51.1) 7, 9 - 0 - - 76.0
(113.5) + triadimefon (56.7) 7, 9 - 2.7 - - 76.2
Mancozeb (726.4) 7, 9, 10.5 - 1.0 -- 77.4
(544.8) + DPX 3866 (112.9) 7, 9 - 1.0 -- 75.3
Maneb (726.4) 7, 9 - .8 - - 73.9
(726.4) 7, 9, 10.5 - 1.0 - - 80.7
Propiconazol (51.1) 7, 9 - 0 - - 77.6
(102.2) 7 - .7 - - 77.3
Sulfur (1316.6) + copper (113.5) 7, 9 - 2.1 - - 80.2
Triadimefon (56.7) 7, 9, 10.5 - 2.6 - - 86.9
(113.5) 7, 9 - 3.1 - - 73.1
None (check) - 3.0 - - 71.4
1982
Benomyl (113.5) 8, 10.1 1.6 2.2 3.0 -* 24.7
(56.7) + propiconazol (50) 8, 10.1 .8 .6 .8 - 37.6
(56.7) + triadimefon (56.7) 8, 10.1 1.8 1.6 1.8 - 26.0
Chlorothalonil (473.1) 7, 10.1 1.4 1.8 2.2 - 27.1
(473.1) 8, 10.1 1.2 1:4 1.8 - 26.2
(473.1) 10.1 1.6 2.0 2.2 - 21.5
DPX 965 (127.8) 8, 10.1 2.0 2.2 2.6 - 22.8
Mancozeb (726.4) 7,10.1,10.5 1.2 1.2 2.4 - 28.4
Propiconazol (50) 8 1.8 1.4 1.8 - 30.7
(50) 8, 10.1 1.0 1.0 1.2 - 35.5
(50) 10.1 1.0 .6 .8 - 33.1
(75) 8 1.6 2.0 2.4 - 30.1
(75) 10.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 - 30.1
Triadimefon (56.7) 8, 10.1 1.8 2.0 1.8 - 26.0
(56.7) + SLJ 0312 (340.5) 8, 10.1 1.2 1.2 1.6 - 29.0
None (check) 2.0 3.4 2.8 - 18.0
'Grams of active ingredient per acre.
2
Feekes' scale: 7 = jointing, 8 = flag 
leaf just visible, 9
30-5 scale: 0 = disease free, 5 = severely diseased.
*Disease did not develop.
= flag leaf emerged, 10 = late boot, 10.1 = head emerging, 10.5 head fully emerged.
[22]
TABLE 17. SEVERITY OF SEPTORIA BLOTCH ON FLAG LEAVES AND GRAIN
YIELDS FOR PLOTS OF COKER 747 WHEAT SPRAYED WITH FUNGICIDES,
TENNESSEE VALLEY SUBSTATION, BELLE MINA, 1982
Fungicide, grams a.i./acre' Application Septoria Yield/
stage
2  
blotch
3  
acre
Bu.
Benomyl (113.5) 8, 10.1 1.4 43.3
(113.5) + mancozeb (544.8) 8, 10.1 .8 46.4
(56.7) + propiconazol (50) 8, 10.1 .1 42.7
(56.7) + triadimefon (56.7) 8, 10.1 .9 41.4
Chlorothalonil (473.1) 7, 9 .9 45.4
(473.1) 8, 10 .5 47.3
(473.1) 9, 10.1 2.9 39.7
DPX 965 (127.8) 8, 10.1 1.8 39.6
Mancozeb (726.4)* 8, 10.5 1.3 47.5
(726.4) 7,9,10.5 3.2 36.6
Propiconazol (50) 8 .3 42.7
(50) 8,10.1 0 45.4
(50) 10 2.6 36.9
(75) 8 .1 43.8
(75) 10 2.1 40.2
RH-5781F (90.8)** 8, 10.1 .6 42.3
(181.6)** 8, 10.1 .5 45.7
Triadimefon (56.7) 8, 10.1 1.1 46.1
(56.7) + SLJ0312(340.5) 8, 10.1 .2 46.9
None (check) 2.2 37.0
'Grams of active ingredient per acre.
2
Feekes' scale: 7= jointing stage, 8 = flag leaf 
just visible, 9 flag leaf
emerged, 10 = late boot, 10.1 = head emerging, 10.5 = headfully emerged.
30-5 scale: 0 = disease free, 5 
= severely diseased.
*Plus Agridex? at 1 pint per 100 gallons.
**Plus Agridex? at 1 quart per acre.
TABLE 18. SEVERITY OF LEAF RUST AND GRAIN YIELDS FROM PLOTS OF N.K.-
MCNAIR 1003 WHEAT SPRAYED WITH AERIAL APPLICATIONS OF MANCOZEB'
Application stage Leaf rust
3  
Yield/acre
Bu.
9, 10.5, 11.1...................... 1.2 50.5
9, 10.5........................... 1.2 51.3
10.5, 11.1....... ................ 1.9 49.9
None (check) ..................... 2.3 43.1
'At rate of 726.4 grams of active ingredient per acre, plus Triton CS-7 at 2
pints per acre.
2
Feekes' scale: 9 = flagleafemerged, 10.5 = head fully emerged, 11.1 =
milk stage.
30-5 scale: 0 = disease free, 5 = severely diseased.
NEMATODES
Nematodes are microscopic worms and a number of them,
including the lesion, stubby root, sting, lance, peanut root-
knot, and southern root-knot nematodes, have been re-
ported to parasitize wheat. There is evidence suggesting that
some of these nematodes can reproduce slowly on wheat
through the winter. To date, no instances of nematode
damage on wheat have been confirmed in Alabama. Evi-
dently, nematodes either fail to invade wheat roots in the fall
or populations of nematodes rarely build up to the point that
damage becomes evident. However, wheat and other small
grains may serve as important overwintering sites for some
nematode parasites of other crops like cotton, soybeans, or
peanuts.
[23]
Alabama's Agricultural Experiment Station System
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
With an agricul-
tural 
research 
unit 
in 
--
every major soil area,2
Auburn University3[
serves the needs of -
field crop, 
livestock,
forestry, and hor-
ticultural producers
in each region 
in-MW0"
Alabama. Every citi-K8
zen of the State has a
stake in this research 12
program, since any13i
advantage from new 15
and more econom- wa
ical ways 
of produc-
ing and handling
farm products di- 
- 9
rectly benefits the
consuming public.
Research Unit Identification
? Main Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn.
E. V. Smith Research Center, Shorter.
1. Tennessee Valley Substation, Belle Mina.
2. Sand Mountain Substation, Crossville.
3. North Alabama Horticulture Substation, Cullman.
4. Upper Coastal Plain Substation, Winfield.
5. Forestry Unit, Fayette County.
6. Chilton Area Horticulture Substation, Clanton.
7. Forestry Unit, Coosa County.
8. Piedmont Substation, Camp Hill.
9. Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee.
10. Forestry Unit, Autauga County.
11. Prattville Experiment Field, Prattville.
12. Black Belt Substation, Marion Junction.
13. The Turnipseed-Ikenberry Place, Union Springs.
14. Lower Coastal Plain Substation, Camden.
15. Forestry Unit, Barbour County.
16. Monroeville Experiment Field, Monroeville.
17. Wiregrass Substation, Headland.
18. Brewton Experiment Field, Brewton.
19. Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center,
Covington and Escambia counties.
20. Ornamental Horticulture Field Station, Spring Hill.
21. Gulf Coast Substation, Fairhope.