Predominance and association of pathogenic fungi causing Fusarium ear blightin wheat in four European countries

Abstract

Two years of field sampling aimed to establish the predominance and association among the fungal pathogens causing Fusarium ear blight (FEB) in four European countries (Hungary, Ireland, Italy and the UK). A PCR-based method was used to detect four Fusarium species and two varieties of Microdochium nivale present in the samples. The prevalence of FEB pathogens differed significantly between countries. Overall, all pathogens were commonly detected in Ireland and to a lesser extent in the UK. In contrast, only two species, F. graminearum and F. poae, were regularly detected in Italy and Hungary. Fusarium culmorum was rarely detected except in Ireland. Log-linear models were used to determine whether there is the independence of the six FEB pathogens at each sampling site. Significant two-pathogen interactions were frequently observed, particularly in harvest samples; all these significant two-pathogen interactions were of the synergistic type, except between F. poae and F. culmorum, and were generally consistent over the 2 years and four countries. Fusarium graminearum and F. poae were least frequently involved in two pathogen interactions but were involved in most of the nine significant three-pathogen interactions. However, only the interaction between F. graminearum, F. avenaceum and F. poae was significant in both years. Potential implications of the present results in FEB management are discussed.

Associations betweenFusarium species and mycotoxins in oats and spring wheat from farmers’ fields in Norway over a six-year period

“…Likewise, reports from several other European countries indicate an increased prevalence of F. graminearum during the most of the last twenty years (Fredlund et al, 2008;Nielsen et al, 2011;Waalwijk et al, 2004;Xu et al, 2005). This is in contrast to studies performed during the 1990's where F. culmorum generally was regarded as the main DON producer in Norwegian cereals, and F. graminearum was registered at low frequencies (Henriksen and Elen, 2005;Kosiak et al, 2003).…”

“…In 2002, an increased prevalence of F. graminearum was registered in Norwegian grains of barley, oats and wheat (Bernhoft et al, 2010). This seems to be the trend in other European countries as well (Fredlund et al, 2013;Nielsen et al, 2011;Waalwijk et al, 2003;Xu et al, 2005). During the last ten years, Norwegian cereal grain industry has experienced large challenges due to Fusarium spp.…”

Genetic and phenotypic diversity within the Fusarium graminearum species complex in Norway

“…Because of their ability to inhibit protein synthesis and modify immune function in eukaryotes, trichothecenes pose a significant risk to food and feed safety (Rocha et al 2005). The global re-emergence of FHB has been linked to the increased adoption of reduced tillage practices and greater precipitation during the growing season, which favour development of FHB pathogens (Bateman et al 2007;DillMacky and Jones 2000;Xu et al 2005). Similar changes in reduced tillage practices and precipitation during the growing season have been reported from Norway (Tørresen et al 2012).…”

Phylogenetic analyses and toxigenic profiles of Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium acuminatum isolated from cereals from Southern Europe

“…The species predominantly associated with FHB in Europe are Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum and Fusarium poae (Nicholson et al, 2003;Somma et al, 2010;Xu et al, 2008). Less frequently isolated species are Fusarium tricinctum, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium langsethiae and Fusarium culmorum (Kosiak et al, 2003;Logrieco et al, 2003;Xu et al, 2005). Other species encountered sporadically include Fusarium acuminatum, Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum (Logrieco et al, 2003).…”