20/20 Seed Labs Inc.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is well established in Ontario, Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan grain crops. Also called scab, this disease is now moving into western Saskatchewan and southern Alberta as well. Alberta is still considered “fusarium-free” and has a zero-tolerance policy on the import of infected seed to the province. FHB is caused by Fusarium graminearum, a fungus that produces a mycotoxin called deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin. Seed infected with DON cannot be sold into the food market and can cause serious health problems if fed to livestock.

Q: Why is it important for me to get my seed tested for fusarium?

Fusarium graminearum is a highly aggressive fungus that causes fusarium head blight (FHB) and produces a mycotoxin that damages grain. Millions of dollars are lost annually in Canada and other parts of the world because of F. graminearum.

Important facts to consider:

A fusarium DNA test, otherwise known as a molecular diagnostic, is a test that detects the presence of Fusarium graminearum through DNA.

Why Do a DNA Test?

F. graminearum causes fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereal crops, reducing yields and producing a mycotoxin that prevents or limits grain sales into food and feed markets.

While fungicide treatments can limit the extent of infection, they cannot prevent FHB from happening, and there are no effective means of rehabilitating fields once infected.