DISEASES AND PESTS THAT CAUSE WHITE HEADS IN WINTER WHEAT

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to identify and study the causes of white heads in winter
wheat in the zone of unstable moisture in the Stavropol Territory. Such phenomenon as white
head is observed in winter wheat fields during the period from the beginning of ripening to
full-ripe stage. Among the full-grown green wheat heads, one can observe single or patches of
white wheat heads. While the full-grown wheat head leans to the ground under the weight of
kernels, the white and dry wheat heads are usually erect and empty. At the same time, the
stem may also be dried-up or green. It depends on the cause of these symptoms. Several
causes that lead to white heads were identified. These are diseases of the root and root zone of
wheat plants that afflict the germination. They are the diseases of stems and wheat head.
White head disease can be caused by damage of plants during the whole growing season.
Thus, the reduction in yields can be up to 50%. Mechanical damage of wheat heads at the
border of fields after machinery use can also cause insignificant amount of white heads.