In the first three months of this year’s testing season, we’ve seen a decrease in the percentage of Alberta samples testing positive for Fusarium graminearum when compared to previous testing seasons. So far this year, 10.5% of total samples tested have tested positive for FG, which is significantly less than the record high of 20.9% in 2023 (Figure 1).
Figure 1. % of cereal (wheat, barley, oat, durum wheat, rye, triticale) samples from Alberta tested at 20/20 Seed Labs that are positive for F. graminearum every year since 2007.
The decrease in positive samples is observed across all crop types (Figure 3). Since the last update, the % of Durum samples testing positive has increased to 20.3%, similar to last year and puts it at the most likely crop type to have a F. graminearum infection this year.
Figure 3. % of wheat (blue), barley (red), durum (green), and oat (orange) samples from Alberta tested at 20/20 Seed Labs that are positive for F. graminearum every year since 2007.
Figure 4. Average % of cereal (wheat, barley, oat, durum wheat, rye, triticale) samples from Alberta tested at 20/20 Seed Labs that are positive for F. graminearum from each county in Alberta. Darker red corresponds to a higher % testing positive.
Geographically, the areas of Alberta with the highest percentage of samples testing positive for F. graminearum are surrounding the Edmonton area and up towards the NW of Edmonton. Southern Alberta counties including Lethbridge, Taber, and Forty mile are seeing a significant increase over last year and many of these positive samples are durum.
Manitoba Disease Update:
Since our last update we have received more samples which have tested negative for F. graminearum from Manitoba, however the % continues to remain high at 89.1% (Figure 2).
Figure 2. % of cereal (wheat, barley, oat, durum wheat, rye, triticale) samples from Alberta (blue), Saskatchewan (red), and Manitoba (green) tested at 20/20 Seed Labs that are positive for F. graminearum every year since 2007.
If you have any questions about any of the data presented here please feel free to contact me at Trevor@2020seedlabs.ca.
