Kentucky Growers Granted Crisis Exemption Label Use of Folicure 3.6F for Prevention of Head Scab in Wheat 

(May 1, 2008, Louisville, KY) – Wheat growers in Kentucky will able to utilize the fungicide Folicur 3.6F for the next 15 days in their efforts to prevent and reduce Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), also known as head scab, due to the quick efforts of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association (KySGGA), the University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  The Crisis Exemption was declared by Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer in response to a shortage of the fungicide Proline 480 SC. Both products are manufactured by Bayer CropScience.

“KySGGA would like to thank the efforts of Kentucky Department of Agriculture staff for quickly addressing this potentially threatening production scenario,” said KySGGA executive director Todd Barlow. “Head scab is an economically devastating disease for small grain growers, and our producers will have another tool that may help suppress incidence.”

 According to Don Hershman, University of Kentucky (UK) plant pathologist, FHB is a fungal disease that occurs on small grains such as wheat, oats and barley during excessively wet conditions. Affected grain is not only less productive, but contains a toxin that is rejected by grain millers. Tebuconazole, the active ingredient in Folicur 3.6F, is a foliar fungicide proven to suppress the incidence of head scab as well as reduce vomitoxin levels.

The Crisis Exemption label allows for a single ground or aerial application of 4 fl oz/A of Folicure 3.6F to wheat through May 15, so long as Feeke’s development stage 10.51 has not been reached. Applications cannot be made within 30 days of harvest. A copy of the Crisis Exemption label must be in growers’ possession at the time of application. The label can be obtained by visiting www.kysmallgrains.org or contacting the KySGGA at 800-326-0906.

More information about Fusarium Head Blight & Crisis Exemption Label.

Written by Jennifer Elwell, KySGGA Director of Communications – 502/921-2625 or Jennifer@kysmallgrains.org

Source: Dr. Don Hershman, University of Kentucky Extension Pathologist