Systemic Fungal Growth of <i>Fusarium culmorum</i> in Stems of Winter Wheat

Abstract

Abstract Systemic fungal growth of Fusarium culmorum in winter wheat was investigated under conditions precluding secondary infections by water splash. Growth of F. culmorum in stem tissue was found in both wounded and soil inoculated plants with both methods resulting in a high level of infection. Crown rot can therefore lead to infection of the higher stem internodes under conditions not suitable for Fusarium dispersal. However, no evidence was found for systemic fungal growth leadingto infected heads. Existence of genetic variation for resistance to spread of F. culmorum in the host was found. This resistance was not correlated with resistance to Fusarium head blight.