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Most of the Michigan Wheat Program’s disease management research is centered around Fusarium head blight. This worldwide disease is the bane of wheat production, causing both yield and quality losses. It has proved incredibly difficult to control.
MI Wheat-funded researchers have looked at 500 isolates of 40 different Fusarium species that are found in Michigan, and fungicide effectiveness with Fusarium and Stagonospora. This work has resulted in some improved management methods of disease in wheat.
Research by Dr. Martin Chilvers
In this project, Chilvers looked at four aspects of winter wheat disease management.
In collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he continued a two-year wheat seed treatment trial at four Michigan Farm locations: Huron, Mason, Montcalm and the MSU Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center in Frankenmuth. In it, two wheat varieties received four different treatments to determine if root rot organisms were prevented. This will be relevant to Michigan’s smut/bunt emergence.
Second, Chilvers looked at foliar and head scab fungicide efficacy of nine fungicide treatments and two soon-to-be-released products.
Third, Chilvers and Dr. Kurt Steinke revisited the fungicide treatments recommended with the high-management approach to wheat cultivation. Also covered by this project was Mikaela Breunig assessment of Fusarium species responsible for head scab of wheat, comparing effectiveness of DMI fungicides vs. the SDHI class.
Click below to review the 2022 final report, including multiple data charts.
Research by Dr. Martin Chilvers
In a continuation of his three-year project that identified 500 isolates of Fusarium in Michigan, Chilvers began to explore how susceptible the isolates are to triazole fungicides and Miravis Ace. Specifically, the project looked at fungicide susceptibility of isolates in the F. tricinctum, F. poae and F. sporotrichioides species to determine whether their fungicide response was similar to F. graminearum.
Beyond the lab studies, the project sought to analyze existing Michigan fungicide data from Martin Nagelkirk’s work to determine Fusarium control in response to different fungicide timings. And to continue field trials for best Fusarium management practices with emphasis on fungicide efficacy and timing.
Click below to review the 2021 PowerPoint slides and 2021 final report.
Research by Dr. Martin Chilvers and Mikaela Breunig, doctoral candidate
In the final report for this three-year project, Dr. Chilvers and team noted that they had identified 500 distinct Fusarium isolates over the time period – 381 from wheat 134 from corn. The majority of isolates collected from wheat were F. graminearum, although a few additional species were identified. Corn ear mold samples, also included in the study, were not predominantly F. graminearum.
These isolates have been grown out for study in the greenhouse and the field, with attention paid to those which were controlled by triazole chemistries; controlled by the new Miravis Ace (tebuconazole + pydiflumetofen); and the sensitivity of each isolate to three categories of fungicide.
The project found no evidence of fungicide resistance to the pydiflumetofen.
In addition to finding optimal fungicides for controlling the species, Chilvers noted the Fusarium isolates project has value for wheat breeding. By knowing which wheat varieties can resist the common Fusarium isolates, some of their genetic material can be included in wheat breeding programs going forward.
Click below to review the 2020 PowerPoint presentation and final report.
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In the second year report on this project, also supported with funds from the Michigan Wheat Program, Project GREEEN, the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and others, Chilvers and Breunig noted they were working to determine which of the 40 Fusarium species documented worldwide are present in Michigan wheat.
They also emphasized chemotyping, or looking for Fusarium byproduct toxins such as DON. A misting chamber was established in the MSU greenhouse to more consistently create Fusarium head blight-conductive conditions.
Click below to review the 2019 PowerPoint presentation and final report.
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In the first of three years, Chilvers laid out the vision for the project and his research team identified 200 Fusarium isolates from across Michigan. Preliminary fungicide sensitivity assays were conducted.
By understanding which species of Fusarium are causing disease, their mycotoxin production and fungicide sensitivity, management of the crop can be improved, Chilvers noted. Increased data about Fusarium isolates will give breeders better screens for Fusarium resistance; new chemistries or biologicals to manage Fusarium will be enhanced; and wheat growers will be better able to manage fungicide applications for continued effectiveness.
Click below to review the 2019 PowerPoint presentation and final report.
Research by Dr. Martin Chilvers
2017 Report: Improving Management of Wheat Diseases, Short- and Long-Term Solutions – Year 3
In the third and final year of this project, Chilvers’s team extended work on three Michigan projects that branched off the multi-state US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBI).
First, the work on Fusarium head blight to identify species and subspecies present as well as their pathogenicity; which types of mycotoxins they produce; and sensitivity of the species/subspecies to fungicides.
Second, the USWBI research on timing of fungicide studies in Michigan with four products at differing rates and timing related to anthesis.
Thirdly, fungicide efficacy trials including timings and rates were conducted to screen current fungicide products and test experimental products for disease control and yield production. A paper to be published in Plant Disease Management Reports, arising from this project, is embedded in the final report linked below.
Click below to review the 2017 PowerPoint presentation and final report.
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2015-2016 Report: Improving Management of Wheat Diseases, Short- and Long-Term Solutions – Years 1-2
In one of the original projects funded by the Michigan Wheat Program, Dr. Chilvers initiated some Michigan trials to build on the multi-state US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. Locally, Chilvers collaborated with MSU wheat breeder Dr. Eric Olsen and Lee Siler, as well as MSU wheat educator Martin Nagelkirk. Dr. Pierce Paul, Ohio State University, was another collaborator.
The initial trials looked at 15 different split-applications of fungicide for management of Fusarium head scab (F. graminearum), the impacts of fungicide and plant growth regulator (PGR), as well as screening for Stagonospora blotch. Due to the 2016 stripe rust outbreak, the 2016 Power Point covers that foliage disease.
A publication from Plant Disease Management Reports (2016) and the Efficacy of Fungicides for Wheat Disease Control Table (rev. 3/30/2016) are embedded in this final report from Chilvers.
Click below to review the 2016 PowerPoint presentation and final report including Plant Disease Management Reports and Fungicide Efficacy Table.
The Michigan Wheat Program is a state-check off program voted in by the state’s wheat farmers to assess each bushel of wheat grown and sold. The funds from the program are utilized to further the wheat industry in the state benefitting the state’s nearly 8,000 wheat farmers who grow about 450,000 acres of wheat annually producing about a 40 million bushel crop.