Control of Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat under Irish Growing Conditions: Current Situation and Future Prospects

Abstract

Abstract:Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat has become one of the most important crop diseases in small-grain cereal production The FHB pathogen lowers grain yield and quality, and under favourable conditions it can also produce mycotoxins that pose a serious risk to animal and human health. Because environmental factors play a significant role in the spread of FHB, it is essential to evaluate control strategies under Irish growing conditions. This paper reviews the findings of the first major field research project to investigate control of Fusarium head blight in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Ireland We examined two approaches to controlling the disease a short-term approach based on the use of fungicides and a longer-term approach based on the development of resistant cultivars by conventional plant-breeding techniques The results show that a satisfactory level of control can be achieved with fungicides We succeeded in identifying a number of lines with high levels of resistance to FHB under Irish field conditions. It is hoped that these resistant genes can be introgressed into a more adapted background with the ultimate objective of developing a resistant variety for Irish wheat-growers.