I am interested in fungal diseases of winter wheat.
Currently I realise two projects:

1.     Risk evaluation of Fusarium and mycotoxin occurrence in winter wheat

Infection of cereals by pathogenic Fusarium fungi can result in reduced yield and contamination of grain with mycotoxins. Many of the Fusarium species that infect cereals produce mycotoxins. Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum produce zearalenon (ZEA) and type B trichothecenes – deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). F. poae synthesizes NIV, beauvericin (BEA), fusarin (FUS) and enniatins (ENNs). Type A trichothecenes: T-2 and HT-2 toxins are produced by F. sporotrichioides and F. langsethiae. F. avenaceum is a producer of BEA, ENNs, FUS and moniliformin (MON).

The occurrence of different Fusarium species in small grains in Sweden and the contamination by mycotoxins has received increasing attention during the last years. Increasing of the level of highly toxic T-2/HT-2 toxins has been recently observed in Swedish oats.

Because fusarium mycotoxins are produced predominantly in the field it is important to understand how agricultural practices affect contamination of grain by mycotoxins. Such information could then be used to advise farmers to minimise mycotoxin levels in cereal production.

In this project we investigate the Fusarium fungi and mycotoxin presence in winter wheat as well as  evaluate the risk factors (both agricultural and climatic) that can be connected with the occurrence of mycotoxins and mycotoxin producing Fusarium species in winter wheat.

Cooperation with Annika Djurle and Jonathan Yuen

2.     A survey of pathogenic fungi in straw residues in winter wheat

In Sweden the crop rotation with winter wheat dominates. Additionally the reduced tillage as a soil management method is more common. Crop residues left on the soil surface serve as a substrat for many fungal pathogens increasing the risk of infection.

In this project we investigate pathogenic fungi which colonise the straw residues during the autumn and how they survive the winter. We are focusing on Oculimacula spp. causing eyespot disease and Microdochium nivale which causes snow mold. The results of the study will help the farmers to make decision about the fungicide treatment of winter wheat in the autumn.

Cooperation with Björn Andersson