8 Biology, Diversity, and Management of FHB-Causing Fusarium Species in Small-Grain Cereals

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an important cereal ear disease, with potential for provoking high economic losses. In addition to causing reductions in grain yield and quality, FHB fungi accumulate a variety of mycotoxins in the grain. Depending on the particular mycotoxins produced, consequences for the health of humans and farm animals may include irritations such as nausea, emesis, diarrhoea, and anorexia, and may affect reproductive organs. Even worse are their hepatotoxic, haematotoxic, immunotoxic, genotoxic and, presumably, cancerogenic attributes. Therefore, FHB management is essential and needs to be directed towards reducing mycotoxin contamination to the lowest levels possible. FHB is caused by a complex of about 17 species that differ, among other factors, in mycotoxin profiles and geographic prevalence. This review presents achievements accomplished in the taxonomy and population biology of FHB fungi that are instrumental for surveying and counteracting these pathogens. Furthermore, we focus on current agronomic practices and progress made in breeding FHB-resistant wheat varieties to control this sometimes devastating cereal disease.