Fusarium head blight (FHB),
caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum,
results in considerable yield and economic losses worldwide. Additionally, the
pathogen produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), which is harmful to humans
and animals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of
fungicides and cultivar resistance on FHB. In 2022, a field trial was conducted
at an irrigated site at the Havelock Research Farm (Latitude 40.9, Longitude
-96.6) in Lincoln, Nebraska. Two cultivars, an FHB moderately resistant cultivar,
Zenda, and a susceptible cultivar, Wesley, were subjected to nine fungicide
treatments including the untreated check.
The treatments consisted of two fungicides, Sphaerex (a triazole) and
Aproach (a strobilurin), each applied at different combinations of growth
stages (Feekes 6 (Fk6) + Fk10.51; Fk9 + Fk10.51; Fk6+ Fk9 + Fk10.51; and
Fk10.51). Due to unusually prolonged dry weather conditions, FHB, DON, and FDK
developed only to low levels. FHB index
ranged from 3.6% to 8.0% and there were no significant differences (P = 0.05) between
cultivars or among fungicide treatments.
DON and FDK were significantly higher in Wesley (0.90 ppm, 27%) than in
Zenda (0.68 ppm, 15%). Among fungicide
treatments, DON ranged from 0.25 ppm (Sphaerex Fk9 + Fk10.51 in Zenda) to 1.4
ppm (Aproach Fk6 + Fk10.51 in Wesley).
FDK did not differ among treatments in Wesley. In Zenda, FDK differed among treatments and ranged
from 10% (Sphaerex Fk9 + Fk10.51) to 29% (Aproach Fk6 + Fk10.51). Overall,
treatment with Aproach resulted in 30% higher DON compared to Sphaerex. Yield
did not differ among treatments in either cultivar and ranged from 4661 kg/ha
(Wesley untreated check) to 7200 kg/ha (Zenda Fk9 + Fk10.51). Test weight was higher in Zenda (68 kg/hL)
than in Wesley (64 kg/hL), but did not differ among fungicide treatments in
either cultivar. The results from
this study indicate that less DON and FDK developed in the moderately resistant
cultivar Zenda than in the susceptible cultivar Wesley, and a triazole (Group
3) fungicide (Sphaerex) was more effective in reducing DON and FDK than a
strobilurin (Group 11) fungicide (Aproach).