Canada - Fusarium Threatens Winter Wheat on the Eastern Prairies

Recent hot wet weather conditions are increasing the risk of fusarium head blight developing in this year's winter wheat crops. Fusarium graminearum, the strain of particular concern, is present throughout Manitoba and into Eastern Saskatchewan. The toxins produced by the fungal disease are of particular concern to swine producers. David Kaminski, a Farm Production Extension Pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives, says the infection thrives under hot humid conditions. “Fusarium head blight affects all the small grain cereals but in particular wheat and it's winter wheat that we're concerned about right now. We didn't have as many acres planted as farmers intended because of the difficult fall last year but those that are in the ground are beginning to head out now and fusarium risk can be high when the crop is heading. Infection happens when we have the coincidence of heat and humidity with flowering in the crop. Flowering is imminent. Recently it's been hot. Many areas have had quite a bit of rainfall. There's a lot of moisture in the ground and that will drive humidity for some time to come. The winter cereal crops are going to be at that stage. A lot of the spring seeded crops are behind. None are really close to heading but, as we get heat, crops tick through their growing stages very quickly. They're in the advanced vegetative stage now, the spring seeded cereals, and it won't be too long until we're thinking about fusarium risk for those crops as well”. Kaminski says the ideal temperature range for fusarium head blight is from 15 to 30 degrees. He says the heavier textured soils, that hold onto the moisture longer, tend to face a greater risk of infection.