Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Prairies Featured Articles

Better Farming Prairies magazine is published 9 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Use Data to Select For Fusarium Head Blight Resistance

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Post-registration assessment of FHB in cereals improves variety selection.

By Emily Croft

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease that affects cereal crops across the Prairies, risking crop damage, lower yields, and reduced quality. The Manitoba Crop Variety Evaluation Team (MCVET) and Manitoba Crop Alliance are working to improve the data available to farmers for selection of FHB-resistant varieties through post-registration analysis.

Anne Kirk, cereal specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and member of the Manitoba Crop Variety Evaluation Team, says that there are a number of ways to prevent FHB infection, but selection of resistant varieties is becoming more popular.

“Varieties get rated for resistance during the registration process,” says Kirk.

“In this process they use inoculated nurseries and assess the reaction of the variety to Fusarium head blight. It’s a Priority 1 disease and there are certain standards varieties should meet to be registered. Farmers want more resistance.”

She explains that post-registration analysis takes this measurement one step further.

“We are looking at conditions under natural infections and under natural growing conditions, so no inoculation and no fungicide. The Manitoba Crop Variety Evaluation Team looks at a number of newly registered varieties or those recommended to be registered in wheat, oats, barley, fall rye, winter wheat, peas, and flax. We observe them over a three-year period.”

With funding from Manitoba Crop Alliance, MCVET has been conducting post-registration analysis for FHB resistance on spring wheat since 2009 and brought barley and winter wheat into the study more recently. There are a few indicators that MCVET uses to assess the resistance of the varieties they are testing.

barley fields
    Anne Kirk photo

“For crop susceptibility in wheat and barley, we are looking at the level of FHB infection and watching for DON and Fusarium damaged kernels to see how the tested varieties react during natural infection.”

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by FHB which can be harmful to livestock in higher levels, reducing the value of the grain as a feed. Currently to detect DON, samples of the grain need to be tested in a lab. Fusarium damaged kernels are the other indicator analyzed by MCVET. They are also known as tombstone kernels, and can appear as small, shriveled, and lighter weight seeds. High percentages of Fusarium damaged kernels can impact grain grading and may cause economic losses for the producer.

The MCVET study is currently using 14 locations to analyze resistance in spring wheat and barley, and there are six sites for winter wheat, due to the generally lower acreage for the crop.

“We can look to see the level of Fusarium infection in different classes of resistance,” says Anne.

“Farmers can also see how specific varieties they are considering performed over the three-year period.”

With trials across different sites in Manitoba, the data generated from this study can also be used by farmers to see how varieties perform in their geographical area. This is important because FHB risk is environment dependent.

close up to barley
    Farmers can use data from the study to see how varieties perform in their area. Akchamczuk/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo

“It allows farmers to compare FHB resistance in varieties at their specific location with the relevant environmental conditions and allows for comparison between other varieties at that site,” says Kirk.

Warm and moist conditions during flowering or anthesis create the greatest risk for infection with FHB. Manitoba Agriculture also publishes FHB risk maps with a range of low to extreme based on relative humidity and temperature prior to anthesis to help grain farmers manage their crops.

“They can also look at all moderately resistant varieties and farmers can compare the results within that classification because there will be some range of reaction to FHB within those varieties. The post-registration analysis provides more information to farmers when making variety selections.”

Kirk says that in trials over the last three years, DON has been below the detection limit at some locations due to relatively dry environmental conditions around flowering.

“It’s great to see that these varieties are below the detection limit for DON. That’s good news for farmers.”

She says that this makes it important to evaluate resistance over the full three-year period, to hopefully catch different weather conditions.

Kirk adds, “One other important factor to consider is that low levels of Fusarium make it hard to get a good assessment of how varieties will perform under different environmental conditions.

“It’s not always a fair comparison when looking at variations grown under harder years, because everything looks pretty good in the years when Fusarium infection is quite low.”

Due to this, when evaluating resistance in variety selection decisions, Kirk recommends that producers first review resistance ratings from the seed guide. The results of post-registration assessment can be used to supplement the seed guide ratings by looking at field performance and location.

They hope to continue this project to help producers make better variety selections.

“I think it’s a good idea to continue with the project. There’s always turnover in varieties and always new varieties being registered. If we are looking at varieties over three years, we want a good number of site years to look at yields across Manitoba for both an average and in specific locations.”

They also want to continue looking at the relationship between DON and Fusarium damaged kernels to determine if damage is an appropriate indicator of DON levels without lab testing.

If producers want to get involved and contribute to improved data for variety selection, Kirk says that they are looking for farmers to participate in a survey.

“I would encourage farmers to reach out.

“We are looking for more participation in the FHB survey. We are always happy to have more farmers that want their fields surveyed because it provides better assessment of FHB across the province.”

hand holding green barley
    Grain farmers looking to participate in the survey can reach out to AnneKirk@gov.mb.ca. Farm & Food Care photo

The FHB survey is conducted in late July or early August. The samples are also analyzed by Dr. Maria Antonia Henriquez at AAFC Morden to determine level of infection and any changes to Fusarium across the province. Better surveillance can improve prevention in the future.

Grain farmers in Manitoba looking to participate in the survey can reach out to Kirk at Anne.Kirk@gov.mb.ca. BF

Current Issue

February 2025

Better Farming Prairies Magazine

Farms.com Prairies News

Manitoba Drops to F in CFIB Red Tape Report

Friday, February 7, 2025

“While some governments have made progress this year, others have fallen behind. Manitoba, for example, took a colossal step backwards after it eliminated its Red Tape Accountability Act, dropping from a near best-in-class B+ in 2023 to an F this year,” said SeoRhin Yoo, a senior policy... Read this article online

New AgWest Locations in Weyburn and Yorkton

Friday, February 7, 2025

Farming can be a challenging. With unpredictable weather, long working hours, and ever-changing demands, farmers in Saskatchewan need dependable equipment, innovative technology, and reliable support to stay ahead. AgWest is excited to announce its expansion into Weyburn and... Read this article online

Canadian Grain Commission issues multiple licenses

Friday, February 7, 2025

Four grain handlers in Western Canada received Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) licenses to begin 2025. On Jan. 1, the CGC provided Grain Millers Canada Corp. with a primary elevator license for its location in Delisle, Sask. This type of license goes to “an operator of an elevator... Read this article online

Canadian tech leads the way for egg gender testing

Friday, February 7, 2025

Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash Canadian Egg Technologies and MatrixSpec Solutions Inc. have announced that their technology is delivering accurate in-ovo gender determination for white and brown eggs as early as the fourth day of incubation. Called a transformative breakthrough for... Read this article online

Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Help Line for Canadian Farmers

Friday, February 7, 2025

A new mental health initiative is now available for Canadian farmers, farm families, and agricultural workers. The National Farmer Wellness Network (NFWN) Crisis Line, 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701), offers confidential and specialized mental health support tailored to the unique challenges... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top