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Fusarioses are caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium and are among the most dangerous cereal diseases. The fungal infestation leads to a reduction in yield. The fungal toxins formed (mycotoxins) also cause a considerable reduction in quality.

Biology

Ear fusarioses are caused by a number of species of the genus Fusarium . In Austria, for example, these are the species F. graminearum, F. avenaceum, F. tricinctum, F. culmorum and F. poae.

Host plants

All types of cereals, corn, grasses and many representatives of other plant families are attacked. Among cereals, oats and wheat (especially durum wheat) are the most frequently attacked.

Distribution

Fusarioses occur worldwide in all growing regions and are among the most dangerous cereal diseases. In Austria, ear fusarioses are widespread across all cereal-growing regions.

Propagation and transmission

Infection usually originates from crop residues in the soil, on which the fungus survives. However, Fusarium can also be transmitted via the seed. This seed infection is mainly responsible for emergence damage. Leaf and ear infestations are caused by spores (ascospores or conidiospores) spread by wind and rain splash. If the spores get onto the ear, they form a dense fungal network (mycelium) on the inside of the glumes and on the ovary.

Favorable infection conditions prevail in humid weather during grain flowering. After successful infection, the formation of toxins facilitates further penetration of the fungus by inhibiting the plant's defense response.

Economic importance

Fusarium plays an important role in cereal production throughout the entire growing season. Beginning with the death of the seedling due to Fusarium emergence damage, roots, culms and leaves can also be affected. The greatest importance is attached to infestation of the ear plants, since in addition to yield reduction, the fungal toxins (mycotoxins) formed mean a considerable reduction in quality.

Prevention and control

• Crop rotation planning: Tight corn-cereal rotations increase the risk considerably.
• Select varieties with low susceptibility
• Eliminate crop residues by turning the soil (especially if corn is the previous crop).
• Direct control of ear fusariosis with fungicides (seelist of plant protection products approved in Austria) is only possible immediately before or after infection. The effectiveness of such measures is therefore limited

Specialized information

Publications

Oberforster, M., Plank, M., 2020. protecting wheat, durum and triticale from ear fusarium. The Plant Doctor, 5, 8-10.

Felder, H., 2015. corn: cob rot grading should reduce fusarium. Der Pflanzenarzt, 68(1-2), 32-33.

Mechtler, K., Reiter, E., Lemmens, M.; Kuchling, S., Felder, H., 2014. occurrence of Fusarium fungi and mycotoxins in grain maize in Austria. Mitt. Ges. Pflanzenbauwiss, 26, 46-47.

Zederbauer, R., Besenhofer, G., Plank, M., 2001. On fungicide use against ear fusariosis with special reference to durum wheat. Pflanzenschutz, 17(2), Federal Office and Research Center for Agriculture, Vienna, 1-4.

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