Strategies for the control of Fusarium head blight in cereals

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a widespread and destructive disease of small grained cereals caused by a number of Fusarium species and Microdochium nivale. In addition to causing significant reductions in grain yield, FHB can result in the reduction of grain quality, either by affecting grain processing qualities or by producing a range of toxic metabolites that have adverse effects on humans and livestock. Control of FHB can be achieved by a number of cultural, biological and chemical strategies along with the exploitation of host plant resistance. In recent years, much of the research undertaken for the control of FHB has been concentrated on understanding and exploiting the genetic resistance of cereal plants to FHB-causing pathogens. Although, a brief overview of genetic resistance is presented, this review seeks to summarise the significance of FHB and review the effectiveness of cultural, biological and chemical control strategies that have been investigated for the control the disease.