Wheat Leaf Disease Rating Scales

One of the questions we often get asked is how does one rate foliar leaf diseases in wheat and if there were any visual aids that could help in determining leaf disease levels. The following images for tan spot, powdery mildew and leaf rust are some examples of such rating scales. We will be producing others this summer for corn, soybeans and other crops as well. Two methods of evaluations 1) a rating scale and 2) percent infection are included. If you find these useful and have suggestions for other foliar diseases please let us know.

Figure 1. Cereal Leaf Rust: % Infection Level (1-9 Scale)

Figure 2. Cereal Necrotic Tan spot: % Infection Level (1-5 Scale)

Figure 3. Cereal Necrotic Tan spt: % Infection Level (6 - 9 scale)

Figure 4. Cereal Powdery Mildew: % Infection Level (1-5 Scale)

Figure 5. Cereal Powdery Mildew: % Infection Level (6 - 9 scale)