In coastal dunegrass (Leymus mollis), F. culmorum is a nonpathogenic symbiont conferring both salt and drought tolerance to the plant.

[6] As a soil-borne fungus, F. culmorum could survive on or within the infected seeds and result in pre- or post-emergence seedling death.

[6] When causing FHB, macroconidia in soil and crop residues are dispersed by wind, rain splash or transmitted by insects to reach the host.

[5] Chlamydospores can also infect coleoptiles as well as primary and secondary roots, causing FRR during the crop growing period, which is a monocyclic disease that only attributes to initial inoculum[clarification needed].

[11] The development of FRR can be affected by several factors, such as residue management, previous crop, plant density, nitrogen fertilization and environmental conditions.

Wheat monoculture and rotation with other cereal crops contribute to maintaining the survival of inoculum in the soil and thereby increases the FRR severity.

High planting density and nitrogen fertilization level are shown to boost the likelihood of FRR occurrence.

[12] Warm and droughty conditions that may trigger water stress also increase the pathogen sensitivity and make the FRR severe.

Developing biological control agents and applying natural antagonist microbes of F. culmorum onto the host plant or crop residues by seed dressing or spray decreases the severity of FHB or FRR.