Wheat Diseases & Management Implications

Dr. Andrew Friskop, Cereal Extension Pathologist associate professor, NDSU Department of Plant Pathology will be discussing wheat disease for every environment and management implications at 1:15 p.m. CT at the Hard Spring Wheat Show, Williston, ND.

"I am really looking forward to coming back to Williston and to get out onto the road again and see everybody out in the audience."

Friskop's talk will focus on helping attendees understand that, even though this past year was not a big disease year for wheat, that doesn't mean the same for the upcoming growing season.

"Last year, there were some questions about what to do when we see a disease in a dry environment and when to apply fungicide and when it pays off," said Friskop. "We have different weather environments and fungicide might not always be needed and I want to get that data back into the growers' hands."

He says growers should be mindful of having a fungicide input and, at least, have it part of the conversation each year. To better understand disease management, growers should focus on variety selection first.

"I hope to stimulate discussion and get listeners thinking about some of the inputs. I know going into next year, there are going to be a lot of challenges. We are dealing with some pesticide supply issues, fertilizer issues, and I think we are going to be scrutinized a little bit more on the input side. So, I am hoping to give information on fungicides, input decisions, and help growers with that bottom line for next year," he explained.

Friskop, originally from North Dakota, earned his Ph.D. (2013) from North Dakota State University and has been working in the NDSU Department of Plant Pathology since then. His applied research program focuses on the management of several cereal diseases.

Through his work, Friskop collaborates with several NDSU Research Extension Centers throughout North Dakota, including Williston, Minot, Langdon, Hettinger, and Carrington.

"We look at quite a few fungicides by variety trials to manage tan spot and Fusarium Headlight. The big idea is we have this large data set and a great collaborative network across the state, and we are able to get that regional data approach using the same protocol."