Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of fungicide chemical class, fungicide application timing, and environment on Fusarium head blight in winter wheat

  • Published:
European Journal of Plant Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum, can result in devastating economic losses in small grain cereal crops. Management of FHB is by a combination of strategies and tactics including cultivar resistance, fungicide application at anthesis, and cultural practices such as crop rotation, tillage, and irrigation management. This study evaluated, under field conditions, the effects of fungicide chemical class (triazole versus strobilurin), fungicide application timing, and environment on FHB and its associated mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). A moderately resistant hard red winter wheat cultivar, Overland, consistently had lower levels of FHB index (= index), Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), and DON, and higher yield compared to the susceptible hard red winter wheat cultivar Overley. The most effective fungicide treatment in reducing FHB, FDK, DON, and yield loss was Prosaro® (prothioconazole + tebuconazole) applied at early anthesis (BBCH 61; hereafter referred to as anthesis). Application of Prosaro 6 days post anthesis (DPA) achieved a slightly lower but comparable efficacy to that achieved by the anthesis application. Application of Prosaro at 12 DPA was least effective. The strobilurin fungicide Headline® (pyraclostrobin) was less effective than Prosaro in controlling FHB, FDK, and DON. In both cultivars, index, FDK, and DON were higher and yield was lower under irrigated compared to rain-fed conditions. These differences were more pronounced in a wet compared to a relatively dry growing season. The results from this study indicate that effective management of FHB can be achieved by combining cultivar resistance with a triazole fungicide applied at anthesis, and the window of fungicide application can be extended by up to 6 days post anthesis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amarasinghe, C. C., Tamburic-Ilincic, L., Gilbert, J., Brule-Babel, A. L., & Fernando, D. (2013). Evaluation of different fungicides for control of Fusarium head blight in wheat inoculated with 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes of Fusarium graminearum in Canada. Can J Plant Pathol, 35(2), 200–208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, A. L. (1948). The development of Gibberella zeae head blight of wheat. Phytopathology, 38, 599–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aoki, T., Ward, T. J., Kistler, H. C., & O’Donnell, K. (2012). Systematics, phylogeny and Trichothecene Mycotoxin potential of Fusarium head blight cereal pathogens. JSM Mycotoxins, 62, 91–102.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baenziger, P. S., Beecher, B., Graybosch, R. A., Ibrahim, A., Baltensperger, D. D., Nelson, L. A., Jin, Y., Wegulo, S. N., Watkins, J. E., & Hatchett, J. H. (2008). Registration of ‘NE01643’wheat. Journal of Plant Registrations, 2(1), 36–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barber, H. M., Carney, J., Alghabari, F., & Gooding, M. J. (2015). Decimal growth stages for precision wheat production in changing environments? Ann Appl Biol, 166, 355–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolanos-Carriel, C., Wegulo, S., Hallen-Adams, H., Baenziger, P. S., Eskridge, K. M., Funnell-Harris, D., McMaster, N., & Schmale III, D. G. (2020). Effects of field applied fungicides, grain moisture, and time on deoxynivalenol during postharvest storage of winter wheat grain. Can J Plant Sci, 100, 304–313.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D'Angelo, D. L., Bradley, C. A., Ames, K. A., Willyerd, K. T., Madden, L. V., & Paul, P. A. (2014). Efficacy of fungicide applications during and after anthesis against Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol in soft red winter wheat. Plant Dis, 98(10), 1387–1397.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dill-Macky R (2010). Fusarium head blight (scab). Pages 34–36 in: Compendium of Wheat Diseases and Pests. W. W. Bockus, R. L. Bowden, R. M. Hunger, W. L. Morrill, T. D. Murray, and R. W. Smiley, eds. American Phytopathological society, St. Paul, MN.

  • Ellner, F. M. (2005). Results of long-term field studies into the effect of strobilurin containing fungicides on the production of mycotoxins in several winter wheat varieties. Mycotoxin Research, 21(2), 112–115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fritz A, Martin TJ, Shroyer JP (2004). Overley hard red wheat. Kansas State University, Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Available online: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/L924.pdf (accessed on 18 October 2018)

  • Gomez, A. K., & Gomez, A. A. (1984). Statistical procedures for agricultural research (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez-Nopsa, J. F., Baenziger, P. S., Eskridge, K. M., Peiris, K. H., Dowell, F. E., Harris, S. D., & Wegulo, S. N. (2012). Differential accumulation of deoxynivalenol in two winter wheat cultivars varying in FHB phenotype response under field conditions. Can J Plant Pathol, 34(3), 380–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, F., Bai, G., Zhang, D., Dong, Y., Ma, L., Bockus, W., & Dowell, F. (2014). Fusarium-damaged kernels and deoxynivalenol in Fusarium-infected US winter wheat. Phytopathology, 104(5), 472–478.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khonga, E. B., & Sutton, J. C. (1988). Inoculum production and survival of Gibberella zeae in maize and wheat residues. Can J Plant Pathol, 10, 232–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lilleboe D (2015). FHB in 2015: a vexing year, overall. Retrieved 26 December 2019 from https://scabusa.org/pdfs/USWBSI-Article_2015FHB-Summary_10-26-15.pdf

  • Lilleboe D (2019). Fusarium head blight in 2019: serious impact in several states; minimal to moderate in others. Retrieved 26 December 2019 from https://scabusa.org/pdfs/USWBSI-Article_2019_FHB-Summary_11-18-19.pdf

  • Madden LV, Bradley C, DaSilva F, Paul PA (2014). Meta-analysis of 19 years of fungicide trials for the control of Fusarium head blight of wheat. In: Proceedings 2014 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. Bloomington, MN, East Lansing, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch St. Louis pp. 129–132

  • McMullen, M., Jones, R., & Gallenberg, D. (1997). Scab of wheat and barley: A re-emerging disease of devastating impact. Plant Dis, 81, 1340–1348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMullen, M., Bergstrom, G., De Wolf, E., Dill-Macky, R., Hershman, D., Shaner, G., & Van Sanford, D. (2012). A unified effort to fight an enemy of wheat and barley: Fusarium head blight. Plant Dis, 96(12), 1712–1728.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mengistu N, Baenziger PS, Wegulo S, Breathnach J, Counsell J (2007). Scab epidemic in Nebraska. Page 205 in: Proc. 2007 Fusarium head blight forum. S. Canty, A. Clark, D. Ellis, and D. van Sanford, eds. Kansas City, MO

  • Menniti, A. M., Pancaldi, D., Maccaferri, M., & Casalini, L. (2003). Effect of fungicides on Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol content in durum wheat grain. Eur J Plant Pathol, 109, 109–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mesterhazy, A., Bartok, T., & Lamper, C. (2003). Influence of wheat cultivar, species of Fusarium, and isolate aggressiveness on the efficacy of fungicides for control of Fusarium head blight. Plant Dis, 87(9), 1107–1115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, P. A., Lipps, P. E., Hershman, D. E., McMullen, M. P., Draper, M. A., & Madden, L. V. (2008). Efficacy of triazole-based fungicides for Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol control in wheat: A multivariate meta-analysis. Phytopathology, 98(9), 999–1011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, P. A., Bradley, C. A., Madden, L. V., Lana, F. D., Bergstrom, G. C., Dill-Macky, R., Esker, P. D., Wise, K. A., McMullen, M., & Grybauskas, A. (2018a). Meta-analysis of the effects of QoI and DMI fungicide combinations on fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol in wheat. Plant Dis, 102(12), 2602–2615.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, P. A., Bradley, C., Madden, L. V., Dalla Lana, F., Bergstrom, G. C., Dill-Macky, R., Wise, K. A., Esker, P., McMullen, M. P., & Grybauskas, A. (2018b). Effects of pre-and post-anthesis applications of demethylation inhibitor fungicides on Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol in spring and winter wheat. Plant Dis, 102(12), 2500–2510.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pirgozliev, S. R., Edwards, S. G., Hare, M. C., & Jenkinson, P. (2002). Effect of dose rate of azoxystrobin and metconazole on the development of Fusarium head blight and the accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat grain. Eur J Plant Pathol, 108(5), 469–478.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shaner, G. (2003). Epidemiology of Fusarium head blight of small grain cereals in North America. In K. J. Leonard & W. R. Bushnell (Eds.), Fusarium head blight of wheat and barley (pp. 84–119). St. Paul: APS Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, D. R., Weston, G. E., Turner, J. A., Jennings, P., & Nicholson, P. (2001). Differential control of head blight pathogens of wheat by fungicides and consequences for mycotoxin contamination of grain. Eur J Plant Pathol, 107(4), 421–431.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tacke, B. K., & Casper, H. H. (1996). Determination of deoxynivalenol in wheat, barley, and malt by column cleanup and gas chromatography with electron capture detection. J AOAC Int, 79(2), 472–475.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wegulo SN, Baenziger PS, Nelson LA, Nopsa JH, Millhouse JC, Mengistu N, Breathnach-Stevens J (2008). The 2008 Fusarium head blight epidemic in Nebraska. Page 72 in: Proc. 2008 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. S. Canty, A. Clark, E. Walton, D. Ellis, J. Mundell, and D. van Sanford, eds. Indianapolis, IN

  • Wegulo, S. N., Breathnach, J. A., & Baenziger, P. S. (2009). Effect of growth stage on the relationship between tan spot and spot blotch severity and yield in winter wheat. Crop Prot, 28, 696–702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wegulo, S. N., Bockus, W. W., Nopsa, J. H., De Wolf, E. D., Eskridge, K. M., Peiris, K. H. S., & Dowell, F. E. (2011a). Effects of integrating cultivar resistance and fungicide application on Fusarium head blight and Deoxynivalenol in winter wheat. Plant Dis, 95(5), 554–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wegulo, S. N., Zwingman, M. Z., Breathnach, J., & Baenziger, P. S. (2011b). Economic returns from fungicide application to control foliar fungal diseases in winter wheat. Crop Prot, 30, 685–692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willyerd, K. T., Li, C., Madden, L. V., Bradley, C. A., Bergstrom, G. C., Sweets, L. E., McMullen, M., Ransom, J. K., Grybauskas, A., & Osborne, L. (2012). Efficacy and stability of integrating fungicide and cultivar resistance to manage Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol in wheat. Plant Dis, 96(7), 957–967.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zadoks, J. C., Chang, T. T., & Konzak, C. F. (1974). A decimal code for the growth stages of cereals. Weed Res, 14, 415–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The first author was supported by a scholarship awarded by The Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ecuador. The authors are indebted to the Nebraska Wheat Board for partial funding of this research. We thank Al Dutcher for assistance with obtaining weather data. This work was supported in part by a grant to S.N. Wegulo (Agreement No. 59-0790-7-080) from the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is a cooperative project with the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA

    Carlos Bolanos-Carriel & Stephen N. Wegulo

  2. Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA

    P. Stephen Baenziger

  3. Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit (WSFRU), United States Department of Agriculture- Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE, USA

    Deanna Funnell-Harris

  4. Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA

    Heather E. Hallen-Adams

  5. Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA

    Kent M. Eskridge

Authors
  1. Carlos Bolanos-Carriel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stephen N. Wegulo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Stephen Baenziger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Deanna Funnell-Harris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Heather E. Hallen-Adams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kent M. Eskridge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen N. Wegulo.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The research reported in this paper did not involve human participants or animals. This paper is currently submitted only to the European Journal of Plant Pathology. The research reported in this paper is original research conducted to demonstrate the effects of cultivar resistance, fungicide chemical class, and fungicide application timing on Fusarium head blight in winter wheat under Nebraska field conditions.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bolanos-Carriel, C., Wegulo, S.N., Baenziger, P.S. et al. Effects of fungicide chemical class, fungicide application timing, and environment on Fusarium head blight in winter wheat. Eur J Plant Pathol 158, 667–679 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-020-02109-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-020-02109-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation