Abstract
Various diagnostic methods were used to evaluate the effect of fungicide protection on the prevalence of pathogenic fungi in wheat grain. Winter wheat cv. Nutka and Zyta was grown during a field experiment established in the Production and Experimental Station in Bałcyny in 2006–2007. The experimental factor was chemical crop protection: epoxiconazole, kresoxim-methyl and fenpropimorph applied at growth stages BBCH 33–35 as well as dimoxystrobin and epoxiconazole applied at BBCH 51–53. In this experiment, microscopic observations and conventional PCR assays were used as complementary methods. The quantification of <em>Fusarium</em> <em>poae</em> DNA by qPCR demonstrated the effectiveness of chemical protection against the analyzed fungal species. Lower monthly precipitation levels and higher daily temperatures intensified grain infections, in particular those caused by <em>F</em>. <em>poae</em>. A significant correlation was determined between the number of <em>F</em>. <em>poae</em> cultures isolated from winter wheat grain and the quantity of pathogenic DNA in grain identified by qPCR. Grain infections caused by <em>F</em>.<em> poae</em> lowered yield and thousand seed weight.
Highlights
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is susceptible to fungal infections which lower productivity and deteriorate yield quality (Scheider et al 2009)
Plants are infected at different growth stages, and Fusarium head blight (FHB) is the most damaging disease which lowers grain yield, deteriorates yield quality and leads to the accumulation of various mycotoxins in crop plants (Goliński et al 2010)
The health status of wheat grain was evaluated under a microscope and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after DNA isolation
Summary
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is susceptible to fungal infections which lower productivity and deteriorate yield quality (Scheider et al 2009). Fungi of the genus Fusarium attack open flowers of wheat plants during a critical growth stage which determines grain yield (Fischer , 1985). Plants are infected at different growth stages, and Fusarium head blight (FHB) is the most damaging disease which lowers grain yield, deteriorates yield quality and leads to the accumulation of various mycotoxins in crop plants (Goliński et al 2010). Reduce their spread and inhibit the progression of crop diseases (Kryczyński , 2002). The pathogen has to be correctly identified for fungicide treatments to deliver optimal effects. Unambiguous identification of pathogens based on the observed symptoms may be difficult, in particular at early stages of disease when various pathogens may produce similar symptoms (Nicholson et al 1998)
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