Integrated strategies for the control of Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol contamination in winter wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination of wheat grains depend on multiple factors, above all climatic conditions, but also agronomic factors such as crop rotation, debris management, variety susceptibility and fungicide applications. Although it is generally believed that multiple strategies are more successful than a single strategy, only a few studies have shown the quantitative effect of combining multiple strategies. Field experiments have been conducted over three growing seasons in three sites in Northern Italy to evaluate the effect of previous crop residue management through tillage, variety susceptibility and triazole fungicide application on common wheat, according to a full factorial scheme. The following parameters were analyzed: FHB severity, grain yield and DON contamination. The collected data have clearly shown a close interaction between the factors involved in FHB severity and DON content, while the interactions were less significant for grain yield. In all nine trials, the DON contamination was significantly affected by the interaction of at least two of the compared factors, while the interaction between all three factors involved was significant in four trials. The most favourable scenario to avoid DON contamination (ploughing, moderately resistant variety, triazole application at heading) reduced the DON content by 97% compared to the worst one (direct sowing, susceptible variety, no fungicide application). Since the interaction between the agricultural practices have shown a synergistic effect, integrated multiple strategies, in areas characterized by a high risk of FHB, can be considered the very effective management means of reducing FHB and DON contamination in wheat.