Response of Barley and Oat Genotypes to Fusarium Pathogens and Associated Mycotoxins
Citation
Response of Barley and Oat Genotypes to Fusarium Pathogens and Associated
Mycotoxins
Meconnen Beyene, Mitali Banik, Srinivas Sura and Xiben Wang
Agriculture & Agri-food Canada, Morden Research and Development Centre, 101 route 100, Morden,
Manitoba, R6M 1Y5, CANADA
Corresponding Author: Xiben Wang, Xiben.wang@agr.gc.ca
Plain language summary
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is recognized as a major threat to barley and oat production in Canada. The
disease is caused by different species belonging to the genus Fusarium and leads to the accumulation of
mycotoxins in grains that are toxic for humans and animals. Increases of FHB in barley and oat caused by
infections with F. poae (FP), F. sporotrichioides (FS) and F. avenaceum (FA) have been observed in recent
years. These pathogens produce Nivalenol, T-2/HT-2, and Enniatins, respectively, and are now considered
important threats to the barley and oat industry. The impact of FP, FS and FA on barley and oat production
has not yet been identified, and little is known about host resistance elements against these pathogens. This
study investigated the pathogenicity of four Fusarium species, including F. graminearum (FG), FP, FS and FA,
on ten barley and ten oat genotypes in 2019 and 2020. The levels of Fusarium mycotoxins, including
deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, H-2/HT-2 and enniatins, in grain samples were analyzed using an LC-MS/MS
method. All Fusarium species tested caused infection and mycotoxin contamination in different barley and
oat genotypes. The resistance in barley and oat genotypes against FG and FA shows a similar pattern but
differs from the responses against FP and FS. Overall, the level of DON in barley and oat grain was the
highest, ranging from 0.1 to 5.8 ppm for barley and from 0.1 to 11.5 ppm for oat. NIV had the lowest
concentrations in 2019 and 2020, ranging from 0.01 to 0.36 ppm in barley and from 0.01 to 0.16 ppm in oat.
Abstract
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is recognized as a major threat to barley and oat production in Canada. The
disease is caused by different species belonging to the genus Fusarium and leads to the accumulation of
mycotoxins in grains that are toxic for humans and animals. Increases of FHB in barley and oat caused by
infections with F. poae (FP), F. sporotrichioides (FS) and F. avenaceum (FA) have been observed in recent
years. These pathogens produce Nivalenol, T-2/HT-2, and Enniatins, respectively, and are now considered
important threats to the barley and oat industry. The impact of FP, FS and FA on barley and oat production
has not yet been identified, and little is known about host resistance elements against these pathogens. This
study investigated the pathogenicity of four Fusarium species, including F. graminearum (FG), FP, FS and FA,
on ten barley and ten oat genotypes in 2019 and 2020. The levels of Fusarium mycotoxins, including
deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, H-2/HT-2 and enniatins, in grain samples were analyzed using an LC-MS/MS
method. All Fusarium species tested caused infection and mycotoxin contamination in different barley and
oat genotypes. The resistance in barley and oat genotypes against FG and FA shows a similar pattern but
differs from the responses against FP and FS. Overall, the level of DON in barley and oat grain was the
highest, ranging from 0.1 to 5.8 ppm for barley and from 0.1 to 11.5 ppm for oat. NIV had the lowest
concentrations in 2019 and 2020, ranging from 0.01 to 0.36 ppm in barley and from 0.01 to 0.16 ppm in oat.