Characterizing the Fusarium species that affect major crops in Manitoba

Root rots caused by Fusarium species pose a significant challenge to soybean and pulse growers in Manitoba and Canada, and so does Fusarium head blight caused by F. graminearum. The potential for certain pathogen species to infect more than one crop, or crops in more than one plant family, represent a great challenge for producers in terms of finding the right rotations and the continuous disease spreading risks. Since F. graminearum, the cereals’ Fusarium Head Blight agent (FHB), was found in soybeans, many questions arise regarding transmission of these pathogens from cereals to non-cereals and vice-versa. As some of these pathogens produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals, the risks become even more important. We asked the question whether wheat FHB contributes to root rots in field peas and soybeans and vice versa, and if so, how crop rotation regimes affect these disease cycles. The first step in answering this question is to characterize pathogenicity of the main Fusarium species from soybeans, peas, and cereals.

Faculty Supervisor:

Fouad Daayf

Student:

Partner:

Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: