The population structure of Fusarium pathogens of small grain cereals, their distribution and relationship to mycotoxins

Term: 1 year, beginning in 2018

Status: Pillar 2 Complete, Pillar 1 Ongoing

Funding Amount: $90,675

Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Xiben Wang (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden)

Funding Partners: Alberta Wheat Commission, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association, Other, Sask Barley Development Commission, Western Grain Research Foundation

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Project Description

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease affecting cereal crops in Canada that reduces productivity and produces mycotoxins in the grain. This fungal disease is caused by a number of Fusarium species. In Canada, Fusarium graminearum is considered as the most important Fusarium species because of its abundance, its toxin producing ability and its impact on grain quality and yield. In the last decade, dramatic changes in the proportion of Fusarium species have been noted. Recent studies have identified F. poae as a major Fusarium species complex that causes FHB in grain in several European and South American countries. In Canada, annual FHB surveys indicate that F. poae is the predominant Fusarium species found in commercial barley and oat fields. F. poae can produce a wide range of type A and B trichothecene mycotoxins as well as several non-trichothecene mycotoxins. A thorough understanding of the population structure and chemotype composition of Fusarium species from multiple crops such as wheat, corn, barley and oats is crucial to understanding the fungal complex that causes FHB. The goal of this project is to improve yield and grain quality in Canada by identifying chemotypes of Fusarium species, its distribution and relationship to mycotoxins, and their impact to the grain industry.