Since the fungus survives in the soil as resting spores, the disease is always associated with infested soil. Soils may remain infective for at least 8 years. We believe that losses in Kansas are usually low. Plants seem to recover well from this disease when temperatures increase in April. They are dependent both on the cultivar and the weather.
Losses are roughly proportional to the length of time during which plants show obvious symptoms.
A long, cool spring prolongs the symptomatic period and increases losses. In a warm spring, losses may be minimal. In each case, loss was attributed mostly to reduced numbers of tillers. Late planting is sometimes effective in avoiding infection periods in the fall. Infection takes place at the time of wheat emergence in the fall, so avoid irrigation during this period if you have a susceptible variety.