Effects of temperature and moisture on development of Fusarium graminearum perithecia in maize stalk residues

Fusarium graminearum is the predominant component of the Fusarium head blight complex of wheat. F. graminearum ascospores, which initiate head infection, mature in perithecia on crop residues and become airborne. The effects of temperature (T) and moisture on perithecium production and maturation and on ascospore production on maize stalk residues were determined. In the laboratory, perithecia were produced at temperatures between 5 and 30°C (the optimum was 21.7°C), but matured only at 20 and 25°C. Perithecia were produced when relative humidity (RH) was ≥ 75% but matured only when RH was ≥ 85%; perithecium production and maturation increased with RH. Equations were developed describing perithecium production and maturation over time as a function of T and RH (R2 > 0.96). Maize stalks were also placed outdoors on three substrates: a grass lawn exposed to rain; a constantly wet, sponge-like foam exposed to rain; and a grass lawn protected from rain. No perithecia were produced on stalks protected from rain. Perithecia production and maturation were significantly higher on the constantly wet foam than on the intermittently wet lawn (both exposed to rain). Ascospore numbers but not their dispersal patterns were also affected by the substrate.