Evaluation of Foliar Fungicides for Controlling Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat. E. A. MILUS, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701. C. E. PARSONS, Research Specialist, Strawberry Substation, Bald Knob, AR 72010. Plant Dis. 78:697-699. Accepted for publication 18 April 1994. Copyright 1994 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-78-0697.

Fusarium head blight of wheat causes significant reductions in yield, test weight, and seed quality and may be associated with mycotoxin contamination of grain. The objective of this study was to evaluate certain fungicides for effects on head blight severity, deoxynivalenol level, yield, and test weight under conditions of high disease pressure in the field. Fungicides (benomyl, chlorothalonil, fenbuconazole, flusilaznle, myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate, propiconazole, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, and triadimefon plus mancozeb) were applied to wheat cv. Florida 302 at heading stage in 1992 and 1993. Plots were inoculated three times with macroconidia of Fusarium graminearum and misted to promote severe head blight epidemics. Head blight incidence was rated at the soft dough stage. Grain yield, test weight, and deoxynivalenol level were determined after harvest. The fungicides tested did not reduce head blight incidence or deoxynivalenol level and did not increase yield or test weight. Prospects for chemical control of head blight are poor