Key Points
- Fusarium head blight can cause 30-70% yield loss in severe situations
- Greatest reduction of FHB and grain Fusarium was achieved with Folicur, Opus or carbendazim
- Strobilurin fungicides (Amistar, Twist and Opera) provided approximately half the control of FHB than the Folicur/Opus/carbendazim but caused a 50% increase of Fusarium on the harvested grain
- Combining triazole or carbendazim with strobilurin, negated the increase of grain Fusarium elevated by the strobilurin, giving similar levels to the untreated control
- Most NZ wheat crops have a low risk of serious levels of FHB, associated Fusarium and mycotoxins in harvested grain
- Fusarium risk factors include: warm wet conditions over flowering, host crops grown in previous season, cultivar susceptibility, location, fungicide timing and choice