INFLUENCES OF PRODUCTION INPUTS ON INCIDENCE OF INFECTION BY FUSARIUM SPECIES ON CEREAL SEED

Production inputs of supplementary nitrogen, fungicides, and plant growth regulator were evaluated on wheat and triticale cultivars (four site years) and on two- and six-row barley cultivars (two site years each) for effect on the incidence of Fusarium infection of the harvested seed. Supplementary nitrogen and a plant growth regulator increased, by up to 125%, the incidence of infection by Fusarium species of the seed. The use of a fungicide spray program had no effect on incidence of Fusarium infection. Triticale lines were more susceptible than wheat to Fusarium infection. Cadette was the most susceptible six-row barley cultivar to Fusarium, and Rodeo and Birka were the most susceptible two-row barley cultivars. Over the 2 yr, four major species were isolated: F. avenaceum, F. graminearum, F. sporotrichioides, and F. poae.