A comparison of head infection and blight development caused by Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium crookwellense in wheat

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to compare the infection of wheat heads by Fusarium graminearum and F. crookwellense and to determine the effect of temperature on head blight development induced by these species. Scanning electron microscopy of spikes of the wheat cv. Palmiet revealed no differences in the infection process between F. graminearum and F. crookwellense. In glasshouse experiments, F. graminearumwas more pathogenic than F. crookwellense at constant ± 22°C and ± 24.6°C, whereas F. crookwellense was more pathogenic at ± 13.8X. Both species caused more severe head blight at 22°C and 24.6°C than at 13.8°C.