THE EFFECT OF INCREASING HUMIDITY ON FUSARIUM EAR BLIGHT AND GRAIN QUALITY

Small-scale field experiments were carried out to determine the effect of increasing relative humidity on the development of the five major species of Fusarium known to cause ear blight in the UK. Visual and cu ltural monitoring indicated that the degree of ear infection by all fi ve inoculated species was related to humidity, with evidence of differ ing optima. Yield and mycotoxin content of grain were significantly af fected by infection with different Fusarium species and by increasing humidity.