New Fusarium Facts!

Fusarium! The nemesis of wheat, barley and corn. Finally, our understanding is improving. Recent work by Dr. Lily Tamburic-Ilincic, (RACT), Dr. Art Schaafsma (RCAT) and Dr. Duane Falk (U. of Guelph) is shedding new light on this age old problem.

Now the brain twister. Genetic resistance to the fusarium fungus is controlled by totally different mechanisms than the plants defense against vomitoxin (DON) production. Chromosome 3 carries resistance to fusarium from the Sumai (Chinese) genome, chromosome 6 carries the resistance from the Frontana (Brazilian) genome, yet chromosome 7 carries the genes that reduce or detoxify the DON produced by the fungus. All factors unrelated!

Wow! No wonder we get varieties with visual symptoms but low DON, or few visual symptoms yet high DON. This year's variety traits data proves the point (Table 1). Armed with this information, and using DNA marker assisted selection, giant steps forward in reducing fusarium risk are on the horizon!