Control of Fusarium crown rot of wheat by late stubble burning and rotation with sorghum

The effects of late (autumn) burning of stubble, and of rotation with sorghum, on the incidence of infection of wheat with Fusarium graminearum Group 1 were studied under conditions simulating commercial practice. Late stubble burning was effective in maintaining a low incidence of infection over four seasons, compared with stubble retention. This did not result in increased yield, possibly because of deleterious agronomic effects of removing residue. Incidence of infection was significantly lower in wheat rotated with sorghum than in continuous wheat, over three complete rotation cycles.