Comparison of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) screening methods for Fusarium head blight resistance breeding

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a widespread disease of cereals, including barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), that causes substantial grain yield losses and grain quality deterioration. Resistant varieties provide the greatest potential for reducing FHB. In the present study, we adapted two methods for screening FHB severity using Fusarium culmorum. We used a cut-spike method and a spray inoculation method in the field conditions for screening different spring barley genotypes of Latvian and foreign origin. Screening with the cut-spike method was done for 126 different genotypes in 2008 and in 2009 and for 180 genotypes in 2010. In the years 2011 and 2012, the field inoculation method was used to screen 207 and 164 genotypes, respectively; part of material was tested simultaneously by both methods. A significant effect of genotype was found for both cut-spike and field inoculation methods (p < 0.001); field inoculation method showed a greater proportion of genotype effect and a higher heritability. Using area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and score obtained at 26 days after inoculation were equally effective. Correlations between results obtained by both methods in different years were not significant, though, the data of the same year correlated significantly (r = 0.36-0.47, p < 0.05). Results suggest that differences between breeding material can be assessed by both methods; however, the information obtained was contradictory for a number of genotypes. Considering the results and the fact that field inoculation method can more likely provide results of equal value to those in natural conditions in respect to identification of resistant and susceptible genotypes, field inoculation method was recognized as preferable for the assessment of spring barley breeding material. Significant correlation (r = 0.71, p < 0.05) between visual estimate of disease severity and mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration in grain was found in 2011, but in the environmental conditions of 2012 formation of DON was inhibited.

Effects of Mechanical Weed Control in Barley–Pea Mixture on Colonization of Barley Grain by Fungi, Part 1

“…had been most frequently isolated. These fungi can cause Fusarium head blight (FHB) and produce mycotoxins [6,7].…”

A simple and reliable assay to quantify host resistance and aggressiveness of the pathogen in the Fusarium head blight-barley pathosystem

“…During our investigation, DHA was found to be of particularly importance as a useful complement to growth chamber and field screening because of contradictory findings reported previously on barley plants (Han and Kim, 2005;Usele et al, 2013). DHA was selected on basis of its similarity to adult barley spike and spikelet inoculations using head and floret techniques for Type I and Type II resistance, respectively.…”

“…Han and Kim (2005) found statistically significant correlation between DHA and point inoculation (Type II resistance) in growth chambers where all biotic and abiotic conditions were strictly controlled. On the contrary, another research that was based on a set of five-year data, showed significant differences in the FHB severity of different plant materials by applying DHA and field inoculation methods (Usele et al, 2013). Despite the importance of DHA, there are no associated reports on the aggressiveness of diverse Fusarium isolates or species.…”

Characterization of the Relationships between Wheat Cultivars, Fusarium Head Blight, and Mycoflora Grains

“…This is best studied for the pathogens of the Fusarium head blight (FHB) complex on wheat, where crop residues constitute the principal source of inoculum in the fi eld [5,6]. Fusarium graminearum predominates in Central and southeastern Europe, while in cooler maritime climates mainly F. culmorum, F. avenaceum, F. poae, and Microdochium species occur [7].…”