Survey of Fusarium head blight and leaf diseases of spring wheat on Prince Edward Island, 2021

In 2021, 12 fields across Prince Edward Island (PEI) were surveyed for diseases of wheat. Plant disease was promoted by ample rainfall and moderate temperatures this growing season. Leaf diseases have the potential to reduce yield by reducing the plant’s ability to capture sunlight energy needed for growth. Fungal leaf diseases, including powdery mildew and Septoria blotch, were found across the province. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease of the wheat spikes where seeds develop. FHB can reduce wheat yield and quality making it one of the most important diseases of cereal crops and is caused by a variety of different Fusarium species. We sought out to find the most abundant species in this growing season. FHB disease was seen at all survey fields and we were able to isolate Fusarium from four of 12 fields. The most abundant species found was Fusarium graminearum. This species is recognized as the worst causal agent of FHB, because it contaminates grain with the toxin deoxynivalenol (DON).