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Identifying wheat and barley seed affected by fusarium head blight

Fusarium head blight on wheat

Left to right, a) Fusarium head blight on wheat, Orange sporodochia b) FHB on wheat — Bluish black perithecia

a) Fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat — Orange sporodochia are formed at the base of the glumes, as shown. Infected spikelets ripen prematurely.

b) FHB on wheat — Bluish black perithecia are occasionally formed on the head.

Red spring wheat, left to right, c) Sound red spring wheat seed, d) Not a Fusarium Damaged Kernel, e) FDK with light symptoms, f) FDK with severe symptoms

c) Sound red spring wheat seed

d) Not a Fusarium Damaged Kernel (FDK) — This seed does not have sufficient seed discolouration or fibrous fungal growth, also called mycelial growth, to qualify as a fusarium damaged kernel according to the Canadian Grain Commission Official Grain Grading Guide.

e) FDK with light symptoms — Mycelial growth is visible around the germ and in the broad crease, and the seed looks shriveled and chalky white.

f) FDK with severe symptoms — Abundant mycelial growth is visible on both seed surfaces, with some pink discolouration at the germ. The seed has a shriveled, chalky white appearance.

Amber Durum

Amber Durum, left to right,a) Sound durum wheat seed, b) Moderate symptoms of FDK, c) Severe symptoms of FDK

a) Sound durum wheat seed

b) Moderate symptoms of FDK — Mycelial growth is visible at the germ and crease. Other symptoms are the wrinkled seed coat, broad crease and bronzy colour.

c) Severe symptoms of FDK — Mycelial growth is abundant, the seed coat is wrinkled, the crease is broadened, and the colour is bronzy.

Prairie Spring

Prairie Spring, left to right, a) Sound Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat seed, b) Moderate symptoms of FDK, c) Severe symptoms of FDK

a) Sound Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat seed

b) Moderate symptoms of FDK — Mycelial growth is visible at the germ and crease. Other symptoms are a wrinkled seed coat, a broad crease and a chalky white appearance.

c) Severe symptoms of FDK — Abundant mycelial growth is found at the germ and crease. The seed coat is wrinkled, the crease is broadened, and the appearance is chalky white with pink at the germ.

White Winter

White Winter, left to right, a) Sound white winter wheat seed, b) Moderate symptoms of FDK, c) Severe symptoms of FDK

a) Sound white winter wheat seed

b) Moderate symptoms of FDK — Mycelial growth is visible at the germ and crease. Other symptoms are a wrinkled seed coat, a broad crease and a whitish colour.

c) Severe symptoms of FDK — The seed coat is wrinkled, the crease is broadened, and the appearance is pink and chalky white.