Key Technical Points for the Control of Wheat’s “Three Diseases and One Pest” (stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, stem base rot, and aphids)

Wheat’s “three diseases and one pest” (stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, stem base rot, and aphids) are major pathogens and pests in China, characterized by a wide geographic distribution, frequent recurrence, and substantial yield losses. Among these, stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, and aphids are classified as Class I pests and diseases, while stem base rot has been spreading rapidly in recent years. According to predictive analyses, this year is expected to see a relatively severe outbreak of Fusarium head blight, stem base rot, and aphids, with stripe rust exhibiting localized, heavy‑disease pressure in certain wheat‑growing regions, posing a serious threat to yield increases and the achievement of abundant harvests. To achieve economical, environmentally friendly, and efficient control of these four threats, key technical measures for their management have been formulated.

I. Wheat Stripe Rust

Northwest and Southwest summer‑overwintering regions. Implement “drug‑assisted surveillance”: upon detection of infected leaves, apply fungicides immediately to prevent disease spread. At the same time, strengthen management of the sexual generation of stripe rust fungus by adopting a “clear, spray, seal” strategy: remove Berberis plants within 50 meters of wheat fields; apply fungicides before rust spores mature and disperse on Berberis; and stack and seal wheat straw residues to disrupt the alternate host–wheat–Berberis cycle, thereby preventing physiological race variation in the pathogen. In spring, once an epidemic trend emerges, promptly use triazoles such as tebuconazole or flutriafol for foliar sprays to curb disease incidence and damage.

　　Wintering and breeding areas include the Southwest and the Han River basin. In spring, fully implement the “treat‑while‑surveying; detect a single spot, contain an entire area” strategy to control disease at the source and curb large‑scale outbreaks later in the season. Once disease foci appear in the fields, promptly launch coordinated prevention and control efforts and adopt unified, integrated management to effectively mitigate local damage and limit the spread of pathogen inoculum to major wheat‑producing regions such as the Huanghuai and Jianghuai areas.

　　The Huanghuaihai spring‑time epidemic area. Strengthen monitoring, surveys, and forecasting and early warning; upon detection of the disease, promptly conduct a comprehensive field survey, implement spot‑treatment to contain spread, and strictly control outbreak centers. When the incidence of diseased leaves in the field reaches 0.5%–1%, promptly organize integrated pest management, applying fungicides such as tebuconazole, flutriafol, propiconazole, and epoxiconazole by spraying to curb large‑scale disease outbreaks.

II. Wheat Fusarium Head Blight

　　In the Yangtze River Basin, the Jianghuai region, and the southern Huanghuai area—regions where the disease is frequently observed—fully implement the “apply fungicide upon flowering” preventive strategy. If, following application, prolonged cloudy and rainy weather or extended periods of high humidity occur—conditions conducive to disease development—carry out a second treatment within 5–7 days after the first. In areas where carbendazim resistance has emerged, consider using highly effective agents such as cyproconazole, tebuconazole, prothioconazole, fluxapyroxad, and epoxiconazole to enhance preventive efficacy and reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination. Adopt rotation strategies to delay the development of resistance. For formulation selection, prioritize rain‑fast products like ultrafine powders.

　　Occasional outbreak areas include northern Huanghuai and North China. Strengthen monitoring and water–fertilizer management, and closely track weather changes during the heading and flowering stages. When favorable climatic conditions for disease development arise, seize the critical period from wheat heading to the early flowering stage and apply fungicides such as carbendazim, cyproconazole, tebuconazole, and prothioconazole for timely prevention.

III. Wheat Stem Base Rot

　　Building on the autumn seed‑treatment protocol, in early spring—coordinated with control of sheath blight—apply appropriate fungicides such as prothioconazole, propiconazole, cyproconazole, pyraclostrobin, epoxiconazole, cyazofamid, tebuconazole, difenoconazole, and chlorothalonil to curb disease development and spread. When applying these products, it is best to use a self‑propelled boom sprayer or a backpack sprayer; increase the water volume appropriately, lower the nozzle height, and carefully regulate the spray direction, focusing application on the base of the wheat stems.

IV. Wheat Aphids

　　During the green-up and jointing stages, prioritize pest monitoring and leverage natural enemies to exert their inherent pest‑control functions. When localized outbreaks occur, implement targeted treatments promptly; if the aphid population exceeds 200 per 100 wheat plants in the field, apply chemical control measures. During the heading–grain-filling period, when the aphid count reaches 800 or more per 100 spikes and the ratio of natural enemies to wheat aphids falls below 1:150, employ selective insecticides such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid, or chlorfluazuron–thiamethoxam for spray applications, or opt for biopesticides like matrine. In areas where conditions permit, release aphid‑parasitizing wasps and other natural enemies to carry out biological control. In the later growth stages, integrate pest and disease management—addressing stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, powdery mildew, and others—within a “one‑spray‑three‑protections” approach, adding anti‑aphid agents and neonicotinoid formulations to implement coordinated, large‑scale control. For application, use high‑efficiency equipment such as boom sprayers and agricultural drones, along with fine‑nozzle sprayers, and incorporate appropriate functional adjuvants to ensure optimal efficacy.

Source: National Agricultural Technology Center