Fusarium graminearum Infection during Wheat Seed Development and Its Effect on Seed Quality

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe causes losses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed quality and yield. Field studies were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to investigate F. graminearum seed infection (SI) and its relationship to seed germination and vigor and the production of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). Seeds from four soft red winter wheat cultivars having different levels of Type II resistance to F. graminearum were harvested at frequent intervals during development and maturity. Low levels of SI occurred late in seed development in 2000, which resulted in high seed quality. In 2001, under heavy disease pressure, F. graminearum increased from 98% at maturity in both resistant and susceptible cultivars, resulting in unacceptable standard germination (SG) (