CWRS wheat varieties response to fusarium
head blight Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major disease of wheat in Manitoba and can impact producer’s profitability through reduced grain yield and quality. End-use markets for fusarium-infected grain may be restricted, as this grain may contain mycotoxins, the most common being deoxynivalenol (DON). Management strategies for FHB include tillage, rotation, chemical (fungicide), staggered seeding dates, and variety selection with a focus on resistance level. Research has shown multiple strategies used together are the most effective means of managing FHB. The first step in reducing the risk of FHB and improving profitability is to select spring wheat varieties with improved FHB resistance. Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) varieties with improved FHB resistance are available to Manitoba producers. There are currently five varieties rated at moderately resistant (MR) to FHB in Seed Manitoba 2012 – 5602HR, Carberry, Waskada, WR859 CL and BW433. Extensive testing to determine reaction to FHB is done over the three years new varieties are entered in the Cooperative Registration Trials. Ratings are assigned by the Disease Evaluation Team of the Wheat, Rye and Triticale Prairie Recommending Committee. A three-year study from 2009 to 2011 was initiated to evaluate the effect of FHB on quality and disease severity of CWRS wheat varieties with improved FHB resistance under natural conditions over a wide geographic area. A key focus of the study was to evaluate how MR rated varieties performed as compared to intermediate (I) rated varieties. The Manitoba Crop Variety Evaluation Trials (MCVET) at various locations across Manitoba were used to obtain harvest samples for a number of CWRS varieties. For all three years, samples were analyzed for fusarium damaged kernels (FDK%), midge, ergot, and DON. In 2011, FHB severity was also assessed by determining Fusarium Head Blight Index. Results on variety performance to FHB will be presented.
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