Fusarium head blight of wheat: Pathogenesis and control strategies

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the main fungal diseases of grain crops such as wheat, barley and maize. The FHB species complex produces mycotoxins that cause quality and yield reductions, as well as human and animal health risks. Resistance breeding, integrated with chemical and or cultural control practices has the potential for sustainable control of FHB. However, breeding for FHB resistance has been slow due to limited genetic gains from conventional breeding, requiring complementary genomic tools to explore and manipulate genetic resources. Breeding for FHB resistance in wheat is also hampered by the quantitative nature of the trait, limited understanding of FHB pathogenesis and the large size of the host genome. This paper highlights the state of knowledge on FHB severity, pathogenesis and genetic control strategies. Available genomic technologies used to uncoil the underlying mechanisms of virulence in the dominant FHB species, F. graminearum, are further outlined. Interdisciplinary collaboration is required for successful development and deployment of FHB resistant genotypes to wheat growers.