Research Project: Integrated Fusarium Head Blight Management in Kansas

Location: Crop Production and Protection

Project Number: 0500-00053-005-181-G
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: May 1, 2026
End Date: Apr 30, 2030

Objective:
1) Evaluate the integrated effects of fungicide treatment and genetic resistance on FHB and DON in HRWW; 2) Compare the efficacy of Prosaro Pro, Sphaerex, and Miravis “Era” to that of Prosaro and MiravisAce and; 3) Compare the efficacy of FHB forecast-based fungicide programs.

Approach:
These objectives will be carried out as a set of field trials conducted across Kansas. Specifically, we will carry out two trials: 1) the Uniform Fungicide Trial (UFT) (Ottawa, KS and Manhattan, KS) and 2) Integrated Management (IM) Trial (Manhattan, KS and Belleville, KS). Data will be collected and synthesized. Fusarium head blight (FHB) and associated mycotoxins (DON) remain important yield limiting problems for wheat production and profitability in Kansas. FHB is more important than ever, with large outbreaks occurring in the state within the last several years. These outbreaks have extended to western Kansas, traditionally thought to be too water-limited for severe FHB. Because of the importance of FHB to U.S. wheat production, it is essential to continue to evaluate the integrated effects of fungicides and genetic resistance for FHB control. The specific objectives of this project are to 1) Evaluate the integrated effects of fungicide treatment and genetic resistance on FHB and DON in HRWW, with emphasis on new combination fungicides, Prosaro Pro, Sphaerex, and Miravis “Era” (IM), 2) compare the efficacy of Prosaro Pro, Sphaerex, and Miravis “Era” to that of Prosaro and Miravis Ace (UFT) 3), compare the efficacy and economic benefit of FHB forecast-based fungicide programs to that of calendar/growth stage-based programs, 4) generate data to quantify the economic benefit of FHB and DON management programs, 5) generate data to validate and advance the development of FHB risk prediction models. Inoculated field trials will be conducted in multiple locations in Kansas, including Rocky Ford, Manhattan, Ottawa, and Belleville. Findings from these trials will be shared annually with Kansas wheat producers, extension agents, and industry professionals through a variety of extension platforms to ensure wheat producers have the most up-to-date research on FHB management as they make their decisions. Data will also be shared with the coordinated project leadership team annually to be used to generate national, multi-location, multi-year syntheses. It has remained essential to have unbiased data on FHB management to share with producers in the region.