Schmale III, D.G. and G.C. Bergstrom. 2003. Fusarium head blight. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI:10.1094/PHI-I-2003-0612-01

DISEASE: Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab

PATHOGEN:Fusarium graminearum (anamorph)
                   Gibberella zeae (teleomorph)

Note: Several species of Fusarium cause symptoms of Fusarium head blight in wheat. These include, but are not limited to, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum, and Fusarium poae. This lesson, however, will focus solely on Fusarium graminearum, the predominant causal agent of FHB in most areas of the world.

HOSTS:Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Durum Wheat (Triticum durum ), and Barley (Hordeum vulgare). F. graminearum parasitizes roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive tissues of many species of cereals and grasses.

Authors
David G. Schmale III, Cornell University
Gary C. Bergstrom, Cornell University

Fusarium head blight in wheat. (Courtesy G. Bergstrom)