Fusarium

Fusarium is a seed borne pathogen and infected seed or feed grain represents the greatest risk of introducing Fusarium in quantities sufficient to cause disease development.

Key Management Strategies

• There is a zero tolerance for the presence of Fusarium Graminearum in cereal grain intended for use as seed. All grain used for seed must be tested and found to be free of Fusarium Graminearum. It is further reccomended that seed be treated with a registered fungicide, prior to planting, that includes the genus Fusarium on the label list of fungi that are controlled.
• All out of province feed grain should be tested and certified to be free of Fusarium graminearum before entering the Province.
• All feed material must be handled responsibly (best management practices), such that the opportunity for Fusarium Graminearum infected material to contact the soil is minimized. Any infected spilled grain or feed material must be collected and composted.
• There is zero tolerance for field infections of Fusarium Graminearum. Infected crops will be salvaged immediatly, and the field must be taken out of cereal production for three years.

For more information visit the Government of Alberta website for Fusarium Head Blight of Barley and Wheat and the Alberta Fusarium graminearum Management Plan.