-5- 



The new states reporting SCLB since May 28 include: Nebraska (1 county), Iowa (5), 

 Alabama (2), Florida (5), Kentucky (1), and Tennessee (1). In all cases, the re- 

 ports involve volunteer corn. Only Florida reports a spread of the disease into 

 planted fields of corn as well as "spore showers." The number of H. maydis spores 

 caught in our spore traps remains extremely low- -about 1 spore every three days. 



OATS 



In general, the Illinois oat crop looks fine. As before, small pockets of yellow 

 dwarf or red leaf can be found, usually near field borders. The diseased plants 

 are stunted and are heading poorly. Some blasting is apparent. Affected plants 

 have a dull yellowish-red appearance. Details are given in Report on Plant Dis- 

 eases No. 101, available from the UI Department of Plant Pathology, 218 Mumford 

 Hall, Urbana, Illinois 61801. 



Oat smuts --both loose and covered- -can also be found in small amounts. The plants 

 are stunted. The kernels are replaced by black masses of smut spores that quickly 

 blow away leaving denuded panicles. We expect more smut to develop in future years 

 because there is no good, inexpensive substitute for mercury seed treatments. 



WHEAT 



The Illinois wheat crop looks excellent. At present about the only disease of any 

 consequence is Septoria leaf blotch. Look for light- to reddish-brown irregular 

 lesions on the leaves. They are surrounded by a yellowish band. Black specks 

 appear in the light-brown to ash-white centers as the lesions age. Little reduc- 

 tion in yield is expected. Control measures are listed in Report on Plant Dis- 

 eases No. 105, also available from the Department of Plant Pathology, Urbana. 



SPECIAL NOTE TO COUNTY EXTENSION ADVISERS 



Personnel from the USDA and the Illinois Department of Agriculture are checking 

 near infested areas for cereal leaf beetles. Additional counties have recently 

 been added to the list of those with infestations. When this happens it does 

 not mean that economic damage has occurred, only that at least one beetle has 

 been found. Economic damage in newly infested areas is not expected for a few 

 more years. 



DATES FOR DIGGING IN WIREWORM PLOTS 



Tuesday, June 8, Livingston County - -9: 00 a.m. Contact Paul Wilson, Extension 

 Adviser, for the location near Long Point. Phone: 815/844-3622. 



Wednesday, June 9, Ogle County - -1:00 p.m. Contact Stan Eden, Extension Adviser, 

 for the location. Phone : 815/732-2191. 



Thursday, June 10, Perry County --!: 00 p.m. Contact Charles Howell for directions. 

 Phone: 618/357-5671. 



Friday, June 11, Kane County --9:00 a.m. First set of buildings north of the junc- 

 tion of Route 31 and the Red Gate Road, west side of Rt. 51. Contact Phil Farris, 

 Extension Adviser. Phone: 312/584-6166. 



