Daily and seasonal dynamics of airborne spores of Fusarium graminearum and other Fusarium species sampled over wheat plots

Abstract

Spores were sampled during 2 years over wheat plots at Ottawa, Ontario. Plots were treated with corn colonized with Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch (anamorph Fusarium graminearum Schwabe). In 1994, viable spores were sampled with four Burkard high-throughput jet samplers. Gibberella zeae ascospores were recovered mostly at night and showed four main release events during the 20-day sampling period, 1-3 days after rain events. Highest density of G. zeae spores (1500 spores/m3) were sampled 1.5 m away from the inoculum source, with fewer spores 5 m away. Recovery of otherFusarium species was sporadic. For all species, there were no statistical differences among the daily sampling times, although for most species, morning counts were the lowest. Other Fusarium species detected, in decreasing order of spore density, were F. crookwellense, F. sporotrichioides, F. moniliforme, F. equiseti, F. subglutinans, and F. culmorum. Most spore release events did not correlate with rainfall events. In 1995, a Burkard continuous 7-day spore sampler was used to investigate the release of ascospores and macroconidia of G. zeae. Ascospores, but not macroconidia, showed a daily periodicity. Daily average densities of macroconidia were an order of magnitude less than ascospores. Ascospore release was correlated with rainfall events and the time of day.Key words: spore sampling,Gibberella zeae, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium sp. ascospores, macroconidia.