RAPID ACCESS TO THE LATEST REGIONAL CROP PEST AND DISEASE LEVELS 		HGCA logo
 


Risks of mycotoxin contamination increase despite low levels of fusarium head blight
  • Results from the Defra CropMonitor project in 2005 showed that the incidence of fusarium head blight (FHB) in England was lower than average with 2.5% ears affected nationally in 2005 (compared to a 10-year average of 3.8%). However, the incidence of Fusarium graminearum, which is probably the most important Fusarium species in terms of causing yield loss and mycotoxin contamination of grain, was the highest recorded since monitoring of the fusarium pathogens began in 1998.

  • Isolation of F. graminearum was primarily from crops in the East, in particular from Lincolnshire and Norfolk. In fact, F. graminearum was isolated from 54% of all the fields sampled in Lincolnshire, the majority of these were located in the south of the county. F. graminearum was also isolated from crops in the South West and North of England.

  • Due to the low incidence of FHB, the overall effects on yield and grain quality from Fusarium species are likely to be low. Mycotoxin levels are also likely to be low nationally, but the higher incidence of F. graminearum highlighted in some areas of England may result in increased risks of contamination in these areas.

  • For further detail see Mapping of Fusarium Ear Blight pathogens
 

Levels of F. culmorum and F. graminearum in infected wheat crops
 

Locations of fields showing symptoms caused by F. culmorum and F. graminearum

 
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This website was last updated on: 27/08/2008     © Crown Copyright Central Science Laboratory 2007
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All risk predictions published by CropMonitor are provided in good faith and are NOT a substitute for rigorous fieldwalking in combination with advice from BASIS qualified persons. CropMonitor accepts no liability for crop loss or damage resulting from the use of CropMonitor.