Effect of Organic and Conventional Cereal Production Methods on Fusarium Head Blight and Mycotoxin Contamination Levels

Abstract

Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals constitute major problems for animal and human health worldwide. A range of plant pathogenic Fusarium species that can infect cereal plants in the field are considered the most important source of mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin, and HT-2 toxin, in small-grain cereal crops in temperate climates. In this article, we (i) critically review the available knowledge on the impact of contrasting production systems (organic versus conventional) and specific agronomic parameters on the occurrence and concentrations of DON, ZEA, and T-2/HT-2 in small-grain cereals (wheat, oats, barley, and rye), and (ii) discuss Fusarium mycotoxin risks in the context of the need to develop more sustainable cereal production systems. Overall, the available evidence from studies of acceptable scientific quality suggests that the incidence and concentrations of Fusarium mycotoxin are lower in organic compared with conventional cereals. Specifically, 24 comparisons showed lower mycotoxin levels in organic production, 16 detected no significant difference, and only 2 showed higher levels in organic production. When the mean concentrations from all studies were compared, conventionally produced cereals had 62%, 110%, and 180% higher concentrations of DON, ZEA, and T-2/HT-2, respectively, than organic cereals. Overall, published studies on the effects of specific agronomic practices on mycotoxin levels suggest that diverse crop rotations and high soil organic matter content/biological activity are associated with a lower risk of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination, whereas (i) high mineral nitrogen fertiliser inputs, (ii) some fungicides and herbicides, and (iii) minimum or no tillage may increase the risks of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination in cereals. The management of Fusarium head blight and mycotoxins, therefore, requires a preventative, integrated, holistic agronomic approach.

Environmentally Friendly Wheat Farming: Biological and Economic Efficiency of Three Treatments to Control Fungal Diseases in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Field Conditions

“…This crop is directly related to food security and the global economy [3]. However, root rot caused by Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium avenaceum, head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum, snow mold caused by Microdochium nivale and Fusarium nival, and powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis are the most widespread and harmful wheat diseases worldwide [4][5][6]. Consequently, these fungal diseases can cause colossal yield losses of up to 20% of total wheat production if an efficient plant protection system is not established [7].…”

Breeding Bread-Making Wheat Varieties for Organic Farming Systems: The Need to Target Productivity, Robustness, Resource Use Efficiency and Grain Quality Traits

“…For example, in Northern Europe the severity of lodging and biotrophic diseases such as mildew and rust in manure-fertilized organic crops was (i) significantly lower than in mineral NPK-fertilized crops grown without fungicide/growth regulator treatment and (ii) below the threshold at which fungicide/growth regulator applications would become economically viable in conventional farming [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]. In addition, a recent literature review by Bernhoft et al [ 51 ] concluded that, overall, the risk of Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin contamination of wheat grain is lower in organic compared with conventional production systems. They describe a range of agronomic factors linked to an increased risk of Fusarium infection and mycotoxin levels in conventional production.…”

“…They describe a range of agronomic factors linked to an increased risk of Fusarium infection and mycotoxin levels in conventional production. Interestingly, risk factors in conventional systems include (i) minimum tillage, (ii) short rotations, especially growing wheat after wheat or maize, (iii) high N fertilizer inputs, and (iv) the use of certain types of fungicide (e.g., strobilurins) and the growth regulator chlormequat, which is used to reduce stem length and the risk of lodging in wheat [ 51 ].…”

“…Overall, the currently available evidence suggests that lodging, foliar diseases caused by biotrophic fungi such as powdery mildew and rusts, and plant residue/soil-borne diseases such as Fusarium head blight and take-all (which can cause major yield losses in intensive conventional systems) have no or a lower impact on grain and protein yields in organic compared with conventional wheat production [ 1 , 6 , 7 , 51 ].…”

Impact of Environmental Conditions on the Concentrations of Trichothecenes, Their Glucosides, and Emerging Fusarium Toxins in Naturally Contaminated, Irradiated, and Fusarium langsethiae Inoculated Oats

“…It is characterized by spores morphologically similar to Fusarium poae, with a similar mycotoxin profile to Fusarium sporotrichioides [ 3 ]. The occurrence of Fusarium langsethiae and its mycotoxins in a wide range of cereals and cereal products such as oats, wheat, and barley has been extensively examined [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”