Fungicide timing to mitigate Fusarium head blight in cereal crops and temperature effects on chemotypes

Term: 3 years, beginning in 2021

Status: Ongoing

Funding Amount: $130,519

Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Randy Kutcher (University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK)

Funding Partners: Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) and Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF)

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Project Description

This project will deliver information on improving the fungicide timing and possibly widen the window of application for wheat growers and to make important decision on fungicide application in an integrated FHB management strategy. This study builds on the recently completed project on fungicide timing in durum wheat, funded by Sask Wheat.

One of the most challenging issues for all wheat and barley growers is to determine the correct timing of a fungicide application due to variability in growth stage among the cereal spikes of each plant in terms of heading and anthesis. In this project, effect of various fungicide timing applications on FHB in winter wheat, spring wheat, durum wheat, and barley will be evaluated. Its already understood that 3ADON chemotype of F. graminearum is more prevalent than 15ADON in Saskatchewan. This study will further investigate if the relative distribution of F. graminearum chemotypes is determined by temperature. The temperature effect of various F. graminearum chemotypes will help us to understand the pathogen population set-ups, direct future research, and advice the farmers accordingly for the management options.