Juho Hautsalo, Marja Jalli, Ulla Heinonen, Satu Latvala

Pathogenicity of different Fusarium species on six arable crop species in Finland

Introduction

Pathogenicity of different fusarium species on six arable crop species in finland. Investigate Fusarium pathogenicity on six arable crops (wheat, oat, faba bean, field pea, maize, oilseed hemp) in Finland, identifying prevalent species and severity of symptoms.

Abstract

In cereals, Fusarium species composition and associated mycotoxin risks are well studied in the Nordic countries, but the interactions between Fusarium populations and the legume crops faba bean and field pea, and the increasingly cultivated new crops such as maize and oilseed hemp, are unrevealed. In this study, two-year field experiments were carried out with spring wheat, oat and and the above-mentioned crops on small demonstration plots in 10 different fields in Central Finland. The aim was to analyse the severity of symptoms and prevalence of Fusarium species from the root and stem tissues of the field plants. While the legumes exhibited the most symptomatic plants, the prevalence of Fusarium species and symptoms in the samples varied considerably between the fields, F. avenaceum and F. equiseti being the most frequently detected species. In addition, the germination, growth and symptom development from Fusarium inoculated seeds of these arable crop species were examined in greenhouse conditions. F. graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. avenaceum were the most pathogenic Fusarium species in these experiments comparing up to 105 Fusarium isolate x crop species combinations.

Review

This study critically expands our understanding of Fusarium species composition and pathogenicity beyond cereals to include an increasingly important array of arable crops in Finland, specifically faba bean, field pea, maize, and oilseed hemp. This focus addresses a significant knowledge gap, given the relatively limited research on Fusarium interactions with these crops, particularly in Nordic environments where mycotoxin risks and disease dynamics may differ from other regions. The research design is commendably thorough, combining two-year field experiments across multiple locations with detailed greenhouse pathogenicity assays, thus providing a holistic view of both natural prevalence and intrinsic disease-causing potential. The methodological approach involved assessing symptom severity and Fusarium species prevalence from root and stem tissues of field plants across ten diverse fields in Central Finland. A key finding from the field trials was the notable susceptibility of legumes, which exhibited the most symptomatic plants, though there was considerable variability in species prevalence and symptomology across different fields. *F. avenaceum* and *F. equiseti* were consistently the most frequently detected species under field conditions. Complementing these observations, controlled greenhouse experiments meticulously examined the pathogenicity of Fusarium isolates using a comprehensive comparison of up to 105 Fusarium isolate x crop species combinations. In these controlled settings, *F. graminearum*, *F. culmorum*, and *F. avenaceum* were identified as the most pathogenic Fusarium species. This research offers valuable insights for agricultural practices and risk assessment in Finland. By identifying prevalent Fusarium species and their pathogenicity on specific crops, it provides essential data for informing crop rotation decisions, selecting resistant varieties, and developing targeted disease management strategies for emerging crops. The contrasting findings between field prevalence (*F. equiseti* common) and greenhouse pathogenicity (*F. graminearum* and *F. culmorum* highly pathogenic) underscore the complexity of Fusarium-host interactions and highlight the importance of considering both environmental factors and inherent pathogen virulence. Overall, the study represents a robust and timely contribution to plant pathology, laying a strong foundation for future research into mycotoxin risks and disease control for a more diversified Finnish agriculture.

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