USWBSI Abstract Viewer

2022 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum


FHB Management (MGMT)

Poster # 100

Effects of Fungicides and Cultivar Resistance on Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat

Authors & Affiliations:

Mahnoor Asif1, Stephen Wegulo1, Julie Stevens1, Katherine Frels2, Heather Hallen-Adams3, and Kent Eskridge4
1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Plant Pathology, Lincoln, Nebraska
2. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Lincoln, Nebraska
3. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Food Science and Technology, Lincoln, Nebraska
4. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Statistics, Lincoln, Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Corresponding Author: Stephen Wegulo, swegulo2@unl.edu

Corresponding Author:

Mahnoor Asif
masif2@huskers.unl.edu

Abstract:

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).

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