Reduction of Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat: Impact of Crop Management.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) associated with the presence of Fusarium graminearum is becoming a problem in wheat (Triticum aestivum) production in Eastern Canada. In addition to reducing grain yields, the fungus produces a toxin (deoxynivalenol or DON) which can reduce feed intake, decrease performance and affect the health of livestock. A study was conducted in 2014 and 2015 at three locations in Quebec to evaluate the contribution of three different methods and their combinations to reduce FHB. Those methods were: (1) rotation with a soybean crop the year prior to the cereal compared with cereal as the previous crop; (2) use of a partially resistant cultivar vs. the use of a susceptible cultivar and, (3) use of a fungicide (Prosaro 250) vs. no fungicide treatment. The results showed that, in general, the combination of two or three control methods is more efficient to reduce DON content in grain than the use of a single method. The rotation with soybean tends to be less effective at reducing DON content than the use of a resistant cultivar or the application of a fungicide. However, the triple combination gave the best results in reducing DON content in wheat.