APPLIED MANAGEMENT OF FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT IN ILLINOIS

Project Title 1 - Uniform Fungicide Tests for Control of Fusarium Head Blight in Illinois: The goal of this study is to test the efficacy of fungicides across multiple locations in Illinois for their effects on Fusarium head blight (FHB) control and their ability to reduce deoxynivalenol (DON) levels in harvested soft red winter wheat grain. Project Title 2 - Integrated Management Strategies for Scab in Illinois: The objectives of the proposed study are: 1) demonstrate that integrated management is the most effective and economical means of reducing losses to FHB/DON; and 2) increase grower adoption of integrated strategies to control FHB. Project Title 3 - Within-Field Inoculum from Corn Debris and the Management of FHB/DON: Our experimental objective is to quantify the relative contribution of within-field corn debris as an inoculums source of Gibberella zeae for Fusarium head blight and DON contamination in 20 variable wheat or barley environments over two years, all in regions where corn is the predominant crop in the agricultural landscape and corn debris is left on the land surface over large areas. Project Title 4 - Fungicide x Variety Interaction Experiment: The objective of this experiment is to examine the effectiveness of genetic resistance and fungicide application singly and in combination in reducing FHB symptoms, FDK and DON under heavy disease pressure.