Fusarium ear blight

[1] FEB is caused by a range of Fusarium fungi, which infects the heads of the crop, reducing grain yield.

The most common species causing FEB are:[1] Fusarium graminearum was considered the most important causal organism.

[5] DON is a protein synthesis inhibitor, also called vomitoxin, due to its negative effects on feed intake in pigs.

[11] Resistance breeding involves screening of plant lines subjected to artificial inoculation with Fusarium.

Plant lines having reduced fungal growth and low levels of seed mycotoxin contamination are selected for additional breeding trials.

Fusarium ear blight resistance is a complex trait, involving several genes, and is dependent of interaction with the environment.

However, the challenge is to combine resistant material with other desirable traits such as high yield and adaptation to different growing areas.

[17] Research has also been put into development on biological control strategies based on bacteria and fungi for example, Bacillus and Cryptococcus species.

[21] From an economic standpoint, it is one of the major cereal diseases, being responsible for significant grain yield reduction world-wide.

In the U.S. and Canada, Fusarium ear blight emerged in the 1990s as a widespread and powerful threat to cereal production.

An example is the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI), a collaborative effort of scientists, growers, food processors and consumer groups aiming to develop effective control measures, including the reduction of mycotoxins.