Ecology & Safety, Volume 9, 2015

Abstract: Fusarium graminearum is one of the most important causal agents of Fusarium head blight (FHB), results in yield and quality reductions as well as mycotoxin accumulation in the infected kernels. This research was conducted in Agricultural Research Station in Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University in subsequent two years. In this research the reactions of 15 wheat cultivars to F. graminearum was evalueted in means of disease severity, relative head weight and Zearalenone (ZEA) accumulation. The wheat heads were inoculated by conidium suspension of a virulent isolate of the fungus by a syringe at mid-anthesis stage. Head blight severity was assessed at 21 days after inoculation. Relative head weight of the infected heads was also determined after harvest. In addition, the ZEA contents in infected kernels was also compared. When inoculated with the fungus wheat genotypes exhibited different reactions. The disease severity in different wheat genotypes was differed between 24.7-78.8%. Relative head weight of the heads infected by the fungus was also statistically different. The ability of the isolate for ZEA accumulation was significant among the wheat genotypes. We found a negative correlation between relative head weight and disease severity, but positive correlation between ZEA accumulation and disease severity.