Genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) in barley is controlled by numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) of relatively small effects that are often associated with agro-morphological traits such as spike morphology (two-row/six-row), heading date and plant height. Breeding for FHB resistance at the University of Minnesota has focused on genomic predictions to select complementary parent combinations, genomic selection of progeny in early generations, followed by field screening in inoculated and mist-irrigated nurseries. Breeding to manipulate other traits in addition to resistance offers the opportunity to further reduce levels of deoxynivalenol (DON). Our program has already changed our focus from six-row to two-row barley in response to industry demand. Hulless or naked barley can reduce DON contamination in the grain by leaving the hull in the field. Winter barley matures earlier potentially avoiding exposure to Fusarium. This presentation will examine the potential of implementing these diverse strategies to reach the overall goal of minimizing the risk of DON contamination in barley grain. 

This work was supported by grants from the USDA-NIFA OREI #2020-51300-32179 and USDA-ARS U.S. Wheat Scab Initiative #59-0206-2-150. We are grateful for the assistance of Ed Schiefelbein, Guillermo Velasquez, and John Hawkins for carrying out field trials. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA USWBSI.