Abstract
Factors influencing Fusarium head blight (FHB) occurrence and yield losses in winter wheat have extensively been studied through the years; however, reports on the relationship between FHB traits and yield are conflicting. In addition, studies neglected the relationship between FHB traits and thousand-kernel weight (TKW). This study evaluated the variability in the relationship between FHB traits, TKW, and yield under field conditions, using 40 commercial winter wheat cultivars differing in resistance/susceptibility to FHB. In general, the FHB index had greater relation to yield, while Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) was more related to TKW. The relationship between yield, TKW, FHB index, and FDK was also determined by resistance/susceptibility of winter wheat cultivars. Fusarium-damaged kernels influenced yield more in moderately resistant (R2 = 43 %) than in susceptible/moderately susceptible cultivars (R2 = 27 %). The influence of the FHB index on TKW was weak (R2 = 9 %) in susceptible/moderately susceptible cultivars and in moderately resistant ones (R2 = 1 %). The potential to predict TKW from yield under pathogen pressure was limited due to the moderate-to-positive correlation between yield and TKW (r = 0.349, p < 0.001). This study provides insights into factors that influence TKW under FHB pathogen pressure and gives direction to more efficient and reliable investigations on grain resistance toward FHB.
Highlights
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating diseases of small grain cereals worldwide and, in Serbia, it is mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (sexual stage Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch) (Lević et al, 2012)
This study evaluated the variability in the relationship between FHB traits, thousand-kernel weight (TKW), and yield under field conditions, using 40 commercial winter wheat cultivars differing in resistance/susceptibility to FHB
This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the FHB index, Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), TKW in field conditions testing 40 commercial winter wheat cultivars with divergent genetic backgrounds
Summary
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating diseases of small grain cereals worldwide and, in Serbia, it is mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (sexual stage Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch) (Lević et al, 2012). The main goals of breeding programs are to obtain FHB-resistance varieties as well as improve yield and quality of cereal crops. Breeding high yield wheat varieties with good quality is not an easy task since yield and its components could be negatively correlated (Laidig et al, 2017) or not correlated at all (Mladenov et al, 2011). Thousand-kernel weight (TKW) is one yield component associated to grain quality, related to milling quality (Protic et al, 2007). The literature reports on the relationship between FHB and yield losses (Mesterházy et al, 2015; Wegulo et al, 2011; Willyerd et al, 2012); investigations on factors influencing TKW losses are usually neglected in the studies. The literature reports on the relationship between FHB and yield losses (Mesterházy et al, 2015; Wegulo et al, 2011; Willyerd et al, 2012); investigations on factors influencing TKW losses are usually neglected in the studies. Mohammadi et al (2012) reported that the analysis of the simple correlations between yield and yield components without taking into account their interactions might mislead breeders
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
