Response of Oat Genotypes to Fusarium Head Blight in Eastern Canada

Abstract

Recent investigations in northern Europe and western Canada suggested that mycotoxins caused by Fusarium head blight (FHB) could be a potential problem for oat (Avena sativa L.) production and oat food safety. Here we report studies conducted in eastern Canada to address this issue. In one study, oat genotypes of diverse origin were evaluated for grain and groat deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination owing to artificial FHB inoculation at Ottawa, ON, in 2006 and 2007. In a separate study, oat genotypes tested in the yearly Quebec Oat Registration and Recommendation Trials were evaluated for DON contamination due to artificial inoculation in Quebec from 2003 to 2008. Deoxynivalenol was detected in all tested genotypes, and up to 43 μg g−1 of DON was observed in the oat grain. Up to 86% of the DON in the oat grain was removed by dehulling. However, some genotypes still retained up to 9 μg g−1 of DON in the groat. Genotype ranking in DON content was relatively consistent across years, planting dates, and experiments, and genotypes with consistently low and high DON levels were identified. It was concluded that FHB is a potential problem for oat production and oat food safety under high FHB pressures; however, the severity of this problem needs to be further assessed by extensive monitoring of the DON level under natural conditions. The most susceptible genotypes identified in this study can be useful for this purpose.

The valuable characteristics of oats genotypes and resistance to Fusarium disease

“…Многие исследователи отмечают, что голозерные со-рта овса более устойчивы к поражению зерна грибами и меньше накапливают микотоксины (Gavrilova et al, 2008;Tekauz et al, 2008;Yan et al 2010;Gagkaeva et al, 2013). При инокуляции растений грибами Fusarium основ-ные элементы урожайности -масса 1 000 зерен и масса зерна с метелки -уменьшались у пленчатых европейских сортов по сравнению с голозерными (Kiecana et al, 2002;Mielniczuk et al, 2004).…”

Timing of inoculation andFusariumspecies affect the severity of Fusarium head blight on oat

“…A number of authors have reported that FHB lowers grain yield and quality; the fungi also produce deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone and HT-2 mycotoxins in kernels, which are harmful to livestock and pose a safety concern in human food (Placinta et al 1999;Clear et al 2000;Bottalico and Perrone 2002;Parikka et al 2008;Tamburic-Ilincic 2010). Consequently, there has been an increase in disease awareness and the development of management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of FHB on oats (Gavrilova et al 2008;Tekauz et al 2008;Yan et al 2008Yan et al , 2010. Several Fusarium species including F. acuminatum Ellis and Everhart, F. avenaceum (Corda: Fr.)…”

“…Although FHB severity can be reduced or controlled by foliar fungicide applications, the use of genetic resistance is considered as one of the most practical and environmental measures for disease management Tekauz et al 2008;Yan et al 2008Yan et al , 2010. High levels of resistance to FHB have been identified in oat germplasm and considerable breeding has been conducted to develop resistant cultivars and lines (Gavrilova et al 2008;Tekauz et al 2008;Yan et al 2008).…”

“…The reactions of oat varieties to FHB have commonly been evaluated by field screening, which depends on the natural occurrence of Fusarium spp. or artificial inoculation in a FHB nursery Yan et al 2010). These methods do not account for the effect of the timing of inoculation on oat reactions to FHB, differences in pathogenicity of Fusarium spp., and any possible Fusarium species by oat genotype interactions.…”

“…These methods do not account for the effect of the timing of inoculation on oat reactions to FHB, differences in pathogenicity of Fusarium spp., and any possible Fusarium species by oat genotype interactions. As a result, breeders have frequently encountered inconsistent disease reactions in their breeding lines, leading to a significant loss of time and resources (Yan et al 2010). The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of timing of inoculation on reaction of oat variety to FHB and to compare the pathogenicity of four commonly observed Fusarium spp.…”