In the Beltsville area of Maryland, significant egg laying has occurred and egg hatch has started. If temperatures remain cool, no hatch should be expected until the last week in April. True armyworm moth activity and egg laying remains low. The cumulative moth catches during April will give us an idea of the potential for problems. Early season diseases that may be present now are powdery mildew, Ascochyta leafspot, barley yellow dwarf virus, and soil-borne wheat mosaic virus .
Powdery mildew is very easy to diagnose.
Look for white to tan masses of fungal growth on the leaves. Powdery mildew continues to be the most common disease present. The amount varies considerably depending on the amount of nitrogen applied and varietal susceptibility. The cool weather pattern favors continued development, so continue to scout fields often. If for some reason powdery mildew is out of control this early, these infected fields will likely lose substantial yield.