Authors: Kelsey Andersen Onofre 1, Raissa Debacker Moura 1, Erick DeWolf 1
1. Kansas State University, Department of Plant Pathology, Manhattan, Kansas.
Corresponding Author: Kelsey Andersen Onofre, andersenk@ksu.edu
Presenting Author: Kelsey Andersen Onofre
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an important disease impacting wheat production globally and has become an increasing concern in Kansas in recent years. Best management practices for FHB include the combination of genetic resistance and fungicide application at early anthesis (Feekes 10.5.1) when conditions are favorable for disease development. Previous work has suggested that higher seeding rates can result in more uniform flowering periods. We hypothesize that higher seeding rates will improve the performance of a well-timed fungicide combined with genetic resistance under high FHB pressure. To test this, field experiments were conducted in Parsons, KS in 2022-2023, and Manhattan, KS and Ottawa, KS in 2023-2024. Treatments were set up as a full-factorial randomized complete block design evaluating two levels of genetic resistance (‘Green Hammer’ – Susceptible and ‘Zenda’ – Moderately Resistant), three seeding rates (500,000, 1 million, and 1.5 million seeds/A), and two fungicide treatments (Miravis Ace 13.7 fl oz/A applied at Feekes 10.5.1 compared with an untreated control). Results indicate that higher seeding rates resulted in lower disease and DON for both moderately resistant and susceptible varieties when compared to the same treatments at the lowest seeding rate. The moderately resistant variety planted at the highest seeding rate and receiving a single fungicide application resulted in the lowest visual disease, lowest DON, and highest yield. The trend of increasing DON and visual severity with decreasing seeding rates was apparent across all treatment combinations. Wheat producers use a range of seeding rates for various reasons. Unraveling the relationship between seeding rate and fungicide efficacy could provide more precise FHB management recommendations for wheat producers.