2017 wheat stripe rust predicted on 'epidemic' level

The prediction for damage from stripe rust has been set at “severe” for this year, according to a forecast from the WSU Wheat and Small Grains division.

Dr. Xianming Chen, USDA-ARS Research Plant Pathologist in Pullman, released his most recent prediction March 6. The forecast was based off six different models based on air temperature. While temperatures did drop below five degrees several times – the threshold for fungus survival – the long-standing snow cover protected the wheat and fungus.

Field observations show the stripe rust survived the winter. Chen stated stripe could “cause yield lo...