Editing Fusarium ear blight (section)

==Control measures==

=== Resistant cultivars ===
[[Plant disease resistance|Resistant cultivars]] could be the most efficient method to control Fusarium ear blight.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Steiner|first1=Barbara|last2=Buerstmayr|first2=Maria|last3=Michel|first3=Sebastian|last4=Schweiger|first4=Wolfgang|last5=Lemmens|first5=Marc|last6=Buerstmayr|first6=Hermann|date=2017-02-21|title=Breeding strategies and advances in line selection for Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat|journal=Tropical Plant Pathology|volume=42|issue=3|language=en|pages=165–174|doi=10.1007/s40858-017-0127-7|issn=1983-2052|doi-access=free}}</ref> Resistance [[Plant breeding|breeding]] involves screening of plant lines subjected to artificial inoculation with ''Fusarium''. Plant lines having reduced fungal growth and low levels of seed mycotoxin contamination are selected for additional breeding trials. In parallel, [[genetic marker]]s associated with resistance are screened for, so called [[marker-assisted selection]]. Fusarium ear blight resistance is a complex [[Phenotypic trait|trait]], involving several genes, and is dependent of interaction with the environment.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Buerstmayr|first1=H.|last2=Ban|first2=T.|last3=Anderson|first3=J. A.|date=2009-02-01|title=QTL mapping and marker-assisted selection for Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat: a review|journal=Plant Breeding|language=en|volume=128|issue=1|pages=1–26|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0523.2008.01550.x|issn=1439-0523|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Fusarium ear blight resistance has been identified in wheat [[cultivar]]s from Asia. However, the challenge is to combine resistant material with other desirable traits such as high yield and adaptation to different growing areas.<ref name=":3">Bai GH, Shaner GE (2004) Management and resistance in wheat Bai GH, Shaner GE (2004) Management and resistance in wheat 42:135–161</ref>

=== Agricultural practices ===
Several [[agricultural practices]] affect the risk of FEB. One of the major infection routes are infected crop residues from the previous crop where both the quality and quantity are important. Crop residues from susceptible crops such as cereals increase the risk of FEB in the following crop. [[Maize]] has been associated with especially high risk.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dill-Macky|first1=R.|last2=Jones|first2=R. K.|date=2000-01-01|title=The Effect of Previous Crop Residues and Tillage on Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat|journal=Plant Disease|volume=84|issue=1|pages=71–76|doi=10.1094/PDIS.2000.84.1.71|pmid=30841225|issn=0191-2917|doi-access=free}}</ref> Reduced [[Tillage|soil tillage]] can also increase the risk of FEB.<ref name=":2" /> The amount of crop residues can be reduced by [[plough]]ing, where residues are incorporated in the soil where they [[Decomposition|decompose]] faster.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Leplat|first1=Johann|last2=Friberg|first2=Hanna|last3=Abid|first3=Muhammad|last4=Steinberg|first4=Christian|date=2013-01-01|title=Survival of Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight. A review|journal=Agronomy for Sustainable Development|language=en|volume=33|issue=1|pages=97–111|doi=10.1007/s13593-012-0098-5|s2cid=21709401|issn=1774-0746|url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01201382/file/13593_2012_Article_98.pdf}}</ref> High [[Fertilizer|nitrogen application]] has also been associated with increased risk of ''Fusarium'' infection.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bernhoft|first1=A.|last2=Torp|first2=M.|last3=Clasen|first3=P.-E.|last4=Løes|first4=A.-K.|last5=Kristoffersen|first5=A. B.|date=2012-07-01|title=Influence of agronomic and climatic factors on Fusarium infestation and mycotoxin contamination of cereals in Norway|journal=Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A|volume=29|issue=7|pages=1129–1140|doi=10.1080/19440049.2012.672476|issn=1944-0049|pmc=3379782|pmid=22494553}}</ref> Preventive agricultural practices may be less effective if a lot of airborne inoculum is present in the area.<ref name=":2" />

=== Chemical control ===
[[Fungicide]]s can provide partial control of FEB but the effects may be variable.<ref name=":2" /> The type and timing of fungicide application is important as non-optimal applications may even increase ''Fusarium'' infection.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Henriksen|first1=B.|last2=Elen|first2=O.|date=2005-04-01|title=Natural Fusarium Grain Infection Level in Wheat, Barley and Oat after Early Application of Fungicides and Herbicides|journal=Journal of Phytopathology|language=en|volume=153|issue=4|pages=214–220|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0434.2005.00955.x|issn=1439-0434|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Biological control and integrated management ===
Research has also been put into development on [[Biological pest control|biological control strategies]] based on bacteria and fungi for example, ''[[Bacillus]]'' and ''[[Cryptococcus]]'' species''.''<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gilbert|first1=Jeannie|last2=Haber|first2=Steve|date=2013-04-01|title=Overview of some recent research developments in fusarium head blight of wheat|journal=Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology|volume=35|issue=2|pages=149–174|doi=10.1080/07060661.2013.772921|bibcode=2013CaJPP..35..149G |s2cid=83784062|issn=0706-0661}}</ref>

For FEB no control measure is completely effective and [[Integrated pest management|integrated management]] involving several control strategies such as preventive measures, disease monitoring and chemical control is necessary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scabsmart.org/|title=ScabSmart {{!}} Management|website=scabsmart.org|language=en|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/multimedia/pdfs/fusariumcop.pdf|title=The UK Code of Good Agricultural Practice to Reduce Fusarium Mycotoxins in Cereals|last=Food Standards Agency|year=2007|access-date=2017-03-14|archive-date=2017-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085650/https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/multimedia/pdfs/fusariumcop.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Disease forecasting models have been developed to assess the risk of FEB depending on weather conditions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2010.html|title=Risk Map Tool|website=www.wheatscab.psu.edu|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref>