Volume
2 Issue
6
June 28,
2005
Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat
FACTS ABOUT FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT (FHB, SCAB) OF
WHEAT
THE DISEASE
-
Several
Fusarium species can cause FHB. Deoxynivalenol
levels (a vomitoxin produced by fungi) in grain
increase following infection by Fusarium
graminearum.
-
Fungal
spores (produced on wheat, barley, or corn residue
lying on the soil surface) infect wheat at the
early-flowering growth stage if weather conditions are
conducive. Disease symptoms aren’t seen until later
(e.g.: typically 7 days to two weeks after infection).
-
Infected
heads have bleached, or pink, spikelets containing
either healthy appearing kernels or no kernels
(sterile), depending on infection timing and the speed
of disease development.
-
When FHB
symptoms are noticed on heads, it’s too late to manage
for the disease. Severity can range from one to every
spikelet on a head (e.g.: 7 to 100% severity).
WORST CASE SCENARIO
- Grain yield and quality losses can be severe.
State and region-wide epidemics are known to occur
during years with extended periods of warm, humid, wet
weather prior to, and during, flowering.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
-
Rotate with a broad
leaf crop for at least one year.
-
Plant resistant
varieties (See MN Varietal Trials results at
http://www.maes.umn.edu)
-
Manage wheat, barley,
and corn crop residues.
-
Visit the online
experimental FHB Epidemic Forecasting Model at
http://mawg.cropdisease.com
to access your field’s risk for disease.
The model is based on local weather conditions
that are known to promote Fusarium spore
production and discharge.
-
If needed, apply a
fungicide application (e.g.: Folicur, Orius) at
early-flowering to manage FHB. (. .
. for
list of fungicides)
Visit the
Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers
for Fusarium head blight forecast updates
http://mawg.cropdisease.com
Charla R.
Hollingsworth
Extension Plant Pathologist
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