Susceptibility of Swiss wheat cultivars to fusaria

In field trials with artificial infections, the susceptibility of 15 Swiss and 3 foreign wheat varieties to Fusarium culmorum and F. graminearum was examined. The resistance pattern for the two fusaria was equal and no species specific reactions were registered. The cultivars showed big differences in disease severity, yield losses and contamination with the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). Together with the crop rotation and the soil tillage management the choice of the cultivar is an important mean to prevent problems with fusaria. With low susceptible cultivars the risk of high yield losses and unacceptable high contamination with mycotoxins can be diminished. Early cultivars produced less DON than late ones. In fusaria risk situations, as wheat after corn and with no tillage soil management systems, the use of most resistant varieties like Arina, Danis or Titlis is recommended.