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DON Testing Information

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. Regulations in the U.S. limit the parts per million in the food supply chain. To aid in mitigating Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk and therefore mycotoxin production, the USWBSI funds three DON labs in the United States. Labs are located at North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND), University of Minnesota (St. Paul, MN) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA). Combined, researchers at these labs analyze on average over 40,000 wheat and barley samples each year for DON contamination. This information aids other researchers in the development of new FHB resistant germplasm and improved integrated management strategies.