Within maturity groups, some varieties are less frequently infected, apparently because of physical barriers to floret and spikelet infection. However, this variability exists only under conditions of light disease pressure. With heavy inoculum and appropriate weather, any variety can suffer significant damage. Differences in scab severity between varieties in the field are largely related to stage of plant development, specifically the time of anthesis, and prevailing weather at anthesis. Rainy weather during flowering of a particular variety may increase the level of scab relative to other varieties flowering earlier or later.
Crop rotation is important in scab control.
Use of non-susceptible broadleaf crops is encouraged. Burying crop residue is beneficial in control of this disease, since fungal survival is greatest on surface residue. Do not use seed if germination and vigor are not sufficient. At the present time, foliar fungicides, applied to the flag leaf, are not an effective control for head scab.