Fusarium head blight
(FHB) is recognized as a major threat to barley and oat production in Canada.
The disease is caused by different species belonging to the genus Fusarium
and leads to the accumulation of mycotoxins in grains that are toxic for humans
and animals. Increases of FHB in barley and oat caused by infections with F.
poae (FP), F. sporotrichioides (FS) and F. avenaceum (FA) have been observed in recent
years. These pathogens produce Nivalenol, T-2/HT-2, and Enniatins, respectively, and are now considered important threats to the barley
and oat industry. The impact of FP, FS and FA on barley and oat production has
not yet been identified, and little is known about host resistance elements
against these pathogens. This study investigated the pathogenicity of four
Fusarium species, including F.
graminearum (FG), FP, FS and FA, on ten barley and ten oat genotypes in
2019 and 2020. The levels of Fusarium mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol, nivalenol,
H-2/HT-2 and enniatins, in grain samples were analyzed using an LC-MS/MS method.
All Fusarium species tested caused infection
and mycotoxin contamination in different barley and oat genotypes. The
resistance in barley and oat genotypes against FG and FA shows a similar
pattern but differs from the responses against FP and FS. Overall, the level of
DON in barley and oat grain was the highest, ranging from 0.1 to 5.8 ppm for
barley and from 0.1 to 11.5 ppm for oat. NIV had the lowest concentrations in
2019 and 2020, ranging from 0.01 to 0.36 ppm in barley and from 0.01 to 0.16
ppm in oat.