Triticum varieties grown as ‘ancient grains’ in New York differ in susceptibility to Fusarium head blight and harbor diverse Fusarium flora

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of Triticum spp. is caused by diverse, mycotoxigenic members of the genus Fusarium. In New York, United States, Fusarium graminearum is considered the primary FHB incitant on common wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), but there is no record of the Fusarium spp. colonizing wheat crops marketed as high value ‘ancient grains’ ( T. dicoccum , T. spelta , and T. monococcum ). The incidence and severity of FHB on these crops was recorded at variety trials in 2017 and 2018, and a brief survey of the Fusarium flora associated with symptomatic spikes was conducted at these trials and an additional research site in 2018. A significant difference in mean incidence and severity was observed between crop varieties in 2017, suggesting that partial varietal resistance will contribute to successful FHB management in New York ‘ancient grain’ crops. The survey of Fusarium flora associated with symptomatic tissue recorded seven species or species complexes, based on colony morphology and DNA sequence homology. Fusarium acuminatum , F. avenaceum , the F. graminearum species complex, the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex, F. poae and F. sporotrichioides have been linked previously to FHB in wheat, while F. armeniacum had not been associated with FHB symptomatic wheat spikes prior to this study. The diversity of Fusarium species recovered raises the concern that mycotoxins which are not routinely tested for may be found in high-value Triticum crops grown in New York.