Timely fungicide application : a strategy to minimize Fusarium head blight and associated mycotoxin production in winter wheats

Re-emergence of Fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat should be taken into account in the global management of cropped fields, especially with respect to fungicide application schemes, due to harmful toxin production. The aim of this study was to assess, in three experimental fields representative of the various topoclimatological zones of Luxembourg, the impact of timing of fungicide spray application on the prevalence and severity of FHB, the concentration of mycotoxins, and Fusarium strain pattern in winter wheat. It was found that fungicide treatments and the time of application had a significant impact on the amount of deoxyni-valenol (DON) detected (P=0.027, ANOVA). In our experimental design, the application of fungicides at 3 different times increased the amount of DON in winter wheat compared to two and single applications. The importance of the timing of fungicide application is discussed in relation to limiting toxin contamination in the field.