Fusarium Head Blight In-Season Article Roundup
Fusarium head blight (FHB), a complex and potentially devastating disease, has been impacting Manitoba farmers’ wheat and barley fields for over 30 years. Although there is no practice to completely control FHB and its impact on grain yield and quality, there are practices that when used in concert can mitigate its severity. Practices should be implemented before, throughout and after the growing season. Practices include crop rotations with a 1–2 year break in between cereals, selecting resistant varieties, fungicide application, harvest management and more.
Manitoba Crop Alliance and the Manitoba Government have numerous articles covering all aspects of FHB management. Below are article links that cover topics specific to in-season risk and management considerations.
FHB Risk Maps
A new Prairie-wide FHB risk map was developed in 2024 for spring, durum and winter wheat, plus barley. The risk map models were developed in Western Canada and are important tools when assessing FHB risk. The maps provide some insight into fungicide spray decisions, but in field scouting must occur to ensure all aspects of the disease triangle are addressed in the local area.
- Newly Developed Prairie-Wide Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) Risk Maps – Manitoba Crop Alliance
- FHB Risk Mapping Tool
Fungicide Application and Timing
Fungicides are one prong of FHB management, but one of the few management practices that can be implemented in season. Currently, fungicides can only provide disease suppression. Once you’ve made the decisions to spray, there are a few considerations to think about, including fungicide choice, application timing and spray application technology.
- Fungicide Management of Fusarium Head Blight in Cereals – Manitoba Crop Alliance
- The Disease Triangle and Fungicide Decisions – Manitoba Crop Alliance
- Identifying heading and flowering growth stages in wheat and barley for FHB spray timing – Manitoba Crop Alliance
- Province of Manitoba | agriculture – Dealing with Fusarium Head Blight
Plant Growth Regulators and Fusarium Head Blight
Do you have questions about how the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) might impact FHB infection? Research out of the University of Manitoba sheds light on the impact of PGR application on flower retention and FHB infection.