Average annual losses are approximately 7 percent and range up to 16 percent on a statewide basis. Of course, individual fields occasionally have much higher losses. Crop rotation and crop residue destruction are the traditional means of decreasing disease severity. However, many producers find their choices of rotational crops limited. Also, the need for soil conservation practices often prevents destruction of the wheat crop residue, which provides refuge for disease organisms between crops.
Genetic resistance is probably the most effective and economical method of control.
Unfortunately, most common wheat varieties are susceptible to at least one foliar disease. Because of this vulnerability to disease, foliar fungicides are sometimes a good investment for Kansas wheat growers. Nevertheless, experience has shown that fungicide benefits are variable, depending on many factors. In order to use fungicides profitably, producers must carefully choose the circumstances where fungicides are used. This text was extracted from the publication, MF1026.