Reaction to Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) of Six New Wheat Cultivars Widely Grown in Transylvania

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium spp., has become one of the most destructive diseases in the world’s wheat growing areas , especially in the humid and semihumid regions (Paillard et al. 2004, Mesterhazy 1978, Stack & Mullen 1985; Kiecana 1987; Kiecana et al. 1988). Six winter wheat cultivars, recently released and widely grown in Trasylvania, have been evaluated for FHB resistance during 2006. The evaluation was made by means of artificial inoculations with Fusarium graminearum and assesment of symptom intensity by computing AUDPC index (Area Under Developmental Progress Curve). Based on these data, two cultivars (Dumbrava and Turda 195) were considered as resistant, two cultivars (Ardeal and Arieşan) as medium resistant and other two cultivars (Fundulea 4 and GK Öthalom) as susceptible to FHB. The reaction to FHB of the six tested cultivars, based on the postharvest indices, showed significant differences among these cultivars as far as the yield elements and the total grain yield were considered. Actually, in the resistant cultivars, both the total grain yield and some of the yield elements (spike wight, grain weght/spike and 1000 kernel weigt) were significantly less affected by FHB than in medium resistant and susceptible cultivars.