Distribution dynamics of Fusarium spp. causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat at different geographical locations in India

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB) or head Scab is a very devastating fungal disease of wheat. Epidemics results with severe yield losses and overall seed quality reduction due to mycotoxins contaminated grains. Several species of Fusarium are found associated with the disease. But, incidence and severity of FHB and the composition of Fusarium species involved are reported to vary among geographical regions and years due to variations in climatic condi-tions and cropping practices. Climatic conditions, and even local variations in weather, can limit the range of species observed even if several are present, and influence their relative frequency of recovery. Our present study gives an idea about the distribution dynamics of FHB causing Fusarium spp. at three different locations in India. Most of the species can be found in much of geographical area affected but individual species dominate a specific re-gion. Analysis of the results of present study indicated that three Fusarium spp. i.e. F. graminearum, F. pallidoroseum and F. oxysporum were found as-sociated with FHB but F. graminearum was the dominant in all the location surveyed. Other two species are also associated with the disease but fre-quency was low. As these geographical locations represent different climatic conditions, the high relative distribution frequency of F. graminearum indi-cates its better adaptability to variable environmental conditions. Under-standing the pathogen distribution dynamics may also provide insights into the epidemiology and evolutionary potential of Fusarium spp. and could lead to improved management strategies under present climate change scenario.