Wheat, barley and durum are all host to the same complex of root diseases. Ashley suggests seed treatments can provide limited fungal root disease protection, but an integrated approach that includes crop rotation and seed treatments is much better. He says broadleaf crops that work well in rotations are canola, sunflower, safflower, pea, lentil, garbanzo beans, flax and alfalfa. Results suggest wheat followed by corn followed by a broadleaf crop before rotating back to wheat is a good combination. Long-term rotations can include alfalfa, but producers should eliminate grassy weeds to obtain the maximum benefit in the control of root pathogens.
Some grassy weeds are hosts for the same pathogens that attack wheat, barley and durum.
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