Resistance to Fusarium head blight and DON accumulation in spring wheat cultivars

Fusarium fungi cause Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereals. In wheat, Fusarium infection not only affects yield, but also the quality of the kernels due to the accumulation of mycotoxins, e.g. deoxynivalenol (DON). Consumption of DON-contaminated products can cause serious illnesses and immuno-suppression in humans and animals. Breeding for resistance is the only way to reduce accumulation of DON. In this research project spring wheat cultivars grown in organic agriculture were investigated for their levels of resistance to Fusarium culmorum, as well as to the accumulation of DON