Alberta’s fusarium graminearum levels are much lower compared to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, but the disease is starting to spread throughout the province.
It was not an issue in 2007 for Alberta, but since then it has increased and the heavy moisture conditions of 2016 resulted in the worst year ever for disease. About 20 percent of samples were positive, said Trevor Blois of 20/20 Seeds Labs, a private accredited testing laboratory that offers a range of tests for seed quality, germination, purity, vigour and disease.
The average percentage of infection across all the crops grown in Alberta is low. In 2007, only .3 percent of the total samples tested positive, while 2013 and 2016 saw a rise because of higher precipitation.
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“This year (2017) was lower than we have ever seen it in any previous years,” Blois said at the Western Barley Growers Association annual meeting held in Calgary March 7-8.
“About .1 percent of all seeds tested positive across the province.”
The laboratory examines samples of 200 seeds and can conduct plate tests as well as DNA analysis.
Fusarium graminearum looks different from other species under the microscope. It is also a greater problem because it is responsible for elevated levels of the mycotoxin vomitoxin (DON) or severe head blight.
The disease has been detected throughout the province at very low levels depending on the year and moisture levels.
The company has been tracking disease susceptibility among crops. Durum is most susceptible, and higher levels of the disease were found in the far southern regions of Alberta, where the crop is grown extensively. Barley is less susceptible but once infected, the disease can be severe.
“Barley is more resistant than wheat,” Blois said.
“If we look at the positives interestingly, it is consistently higher than the wheat, so it seems like barley is less likely to get an infection, but once it does, it seems it is a higher percentage of infection.”
Corn is a significant host because the stubble takes longer to break down. More fusarium could appear in areas where corn is grown.
Alberta Agriculture has also developed risk maps and other information, which can be found at agriculture.alberta.ca/acis/fusarium-risk-tool.jsp.
The information is available from June 1-Aug. 15.
