This is a virus disease that causes severe stunting and yellowing of the plants. It usually occurs in patches in the field, mostly associated with wet areas or poorly drained soil types. Some varieties are susceptible and remain stunted into late spring, where others are resistant and show no signs of the disease. Check fields now that have not shown significant regrowth for the possibility of wheat soilborne mosaic. Some fields in northern Ohio have suffered plant loss from heaving and some root disease problems which made the plants sensitive to cold injury over winter.
Affected areas have dead plants in patches.
We expect any of these plants that are not already died, to die over the next few weeks. The colder weather that is predicted for this week should have little effect on the wheat crop other than the possibility of causing some frost injury on leaf tips. Plants in the jointing stage have the growing point several inches above the soil surface. Freezing injury may cause the growing point to die and leaves to turn yellow or brown. Most of our wheat crop is not this far advanced, so injury should be minimal if we reach the predicted low temperatures.