Fusarium graminearum Chemotype–Spring Wheat Genotype Interaction Effects in Type I and II Resistance Response Assays

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by several Fusarium spp., is a worldwide problem that severely impacts cereal grain yield and poses major risks to human and animal health due to production of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated forms, 3-acetyl-DON (3-ADON) and 15-acetyl-DON (15-ADON). Recent studies suggest an inconsistent effect of F. graminearum chemotypes and resistance of wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes. To gain insight into the interaction effects of F. graminearum chemotypes and spring wheat genotypes on FHB resistance response, 10 spring wheat genotypes with varying levels of FHB resistance were inoculated with 10 F. graminearum isolates, consisting of 5 3-ADON- and 5 15-ADON-producing isolates and evaluated in type I (spray inoculation) and type II (point inoculation) resistance assays. Wheat genotypes carrying the resistance allele of the Fhb1 quantitative trait locus on chromosome 3BS had lower disease in type II evaluations, regardless of F. graminearum isolate or chemotype. Isolates of F. graminearum were also significantly different for disease aggressiveness. In addition, the 3-ADON-producing isolates were 18% more aggressive than the 15-ADON isolates in type I resistance assays. No difference in aggressiveness of the two chemotypes was observed, when tested in type II resistance assays. There was no interaction effect between F. graminearum chemotypes and spring wheat genotypes, suggesting that screening of germplasm for resistance can be performed with limited number of aggressive isolates.