Disease – Fusarium graminearum
Questions
Q: How many ways can seed be infected with
Fusarium graminearum?
A: There is systemic infection (inside the seed)
and there is surface contamination (spores on the
outside of the seed).
Q: How many different types of tests are available
to check for the Fusarium graminearum pathogen?
A: Currently there are two different test methods
used. They are a DNA-based method and a plate
method.
Disease – Fusarium graminearum
The two tests differ in many respects:
Technology
Amount of seed
Sensitivity
Time
Type of result
Both tests have a role in providing our
customers with accurate and timely
results for superior seed quality
management
Disease – Fusarium graminearum
15 grams (over 400 seeds)
Detection level
lower than 0.1%
200 seeds
Detection level
of 0.5%
Disease – Fusarium graminearum
DNA uses a portion of the seed sample
as received (no cleaning or sterilizing)
Any Fusarium graminearum spores
attached to dirt or dust particles on the
outside of the seed are detected
Plate uses a portion of the seed sample
that’s sterilized with chlorine bleach
The bleach kills most organisms
(including any Fusarium spp.) that are
on the outside of the seed
Disease – Fusarium graminearum
1 – 2 days
for results
5 – 8 days
for results
Disease – Fusarium graminearum
DNA provides a
positive(+) or
negative(-) result
Plate provides a
percent(%)
infection result
Disease – Fusarium graminearum
Our standard method is the DNA-based
test
It is much more accurate due to the
number of seeds, the dual level of
detection, and the lower level of
detection
All positive(+) results from the DNAbased test are plated to determine the
percentage(%) of infection
Disease – Fusarium graminearum
A positive(+) from the DNA-based test
and a negative(-) from the plate test
means:
(1) the infection is below the plate test
detectable level of 0.5% or
(2) the infection is surface
contamination and was killed during
sterilization or
(3) the spores are not viable or
(4) combinations or 1,2, and 3 above
Progress and Personnel
Most seed labs do not use the DNAbased test, so they are missing many
seed samples that are infected with
Fusarium graminearum
Early identification of low level infected
seed can help to reduce the planting of
infected seed
Fusarium Test Review
Timely and efficient
1-2 day turnaround time assists with
scheduling and cleaning plant efficiency
Accuracy
Over 400 seeds tested (>twice the plate test)
Detection of spores on the seed surface
Lower detection level
Testing at 20/20 Seed Labs
Benefit from the features of both tests if
necessary (there is no charge for the plate
test after a positive(+) DNA-based test)
Fusarium Economics
1½ bushels of wheat (an acre) has
approximately 1.1 million seeds
Planting seed with 0.5% Fusarium
graminearum infection means you are
planting 5,500 infected seeds/acre
Fusarium Economics
Manitoba producers experience yield
losses of over 20% in highly infected
fields
Maximum of 0.25% FDK (Fusarium
Damaged Kernels) in Red Spring and
Hard White No.1 wheat by weight
Fusarium Economics
Fusarium graminearum can create a
mycotoxin called deoxynivalenol or DON
which compromises the quality of grain
used in milling, baking, and pasta making
Malt barley has zero tolerance for the
mycotoxin DON
Fusarium Economics
DON becomes concentrated in dried
distillers grain which is a by-product of
ethanol production
Swine - Feeding DON at levels above 1
ppm in the complete feed will result in
some degree of feed refusal.
Prevention & Control Measures
Test your seed
Choose high quality, vigourous seed
Choose varieties with the best resistance
Treat your seed
Practice crop rotation with other crops
Scout your field for signs of disease
Apply foliar fungicides
Bury your stubble and chaff
Test your grain