How can we reduce the risk of head scab in our wheat? There are a few things we can do before wheat planting season to reduce the risk of scab or Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), which produces vomitoxin in wheat and barley in the spring.

Tip #1: Plant Varieties with Resistance

This is the most cost-effective and reliable way to reduce FHB. Wheat varieties that are entered in the NC Wheat Official Variety Test (OVT) are screened in a scab nursery where Fusarium and irrigation are applied to simulate an FHB epidemic. See the 2025 variety list here. The varieties are classified as moderately resistant (MR), moderately susceptible (MS), or susceptible (S).  We recommend that you plant as much acreage as possible in MR varieties.  If your wheat is planted no-till, selecting MR varieties becomes even more important.

Tip #2: Rotate with a Non-Host Crop

The Fusarium fungus that causes head scab is harbored in corn residue. When possible, it is best to plant wheat after soybeans or cotton. These crops do not host the Fusarium that infects wheat heads, so their residue doesn’t launch FHB epidemics in wheat during wet springs.

Tip #3: Increase Management in No-Till Systems

Prevention is especially beneficial in regions where no-till crop production is used. Crop rotation, residue management, variety selection and fungicides during wheat flowering are all recommended practices where tillage is not used.  When it is necessary to plant into corn residue, consider chopping. See our new video on corn residue management:

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Adapted from: US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative’s FHB Tool Talk August 18, 2025