Potential for Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus

With the fall moisture, there was lots of green vegetation produced. This “green bridge” is a good reservoir for wheat curl mites which harbor wheat streak mosaic virus. Producers are encouraged to allow for a good green up in the spring before planting cereal grains. Allowing for a good green up will best position an application of glyphosate to eliminate the “green bridge”. Allow for 7 to 10 days to pass to allow the green tissue to die and the mites carrying the virus to move before planting into the stubble.

The other option is to switch to a non-wheat streak host such as a broadleaf crop (pea, lentil, safflower). The other management tool is to scout fields for signs of wheat streak in small grains. Early signs are yellowing plants and as the crop progresses, infected areas will be depressed compared to the rest of the crop.

Wet conditions are going to be challenging enough so as to plant without getting stuck in every depression. Allowing fields to dry and green up before eliminating the green bridge will be one of the management strategies to eliminate wheat streak virus growth in your fields and in the neighborhood.