Effects of sowing date, nitrogen fertilization, and Fusarium graminearum in an Argentinean bread wheat: integrated analysis of disease parameters, mycotoxin contamination, grain quality, and seed deterioration

ARATA, GONZALO J.; MARTÍNEZ, MAURO; ELGUEZÁBAL, CONSTANZA; ROJAS, DANTE; CRISTOS, DIEGO; DINOLFO, MARÍA I.; ARATA, AGUSTÍN F.

JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Año: 2022 vol. 107

0889-1575

Bread wheat is one of the main crops cultivated worldwide that can be affected byfungal diseases as Fusarium head blight. The aim of this work was to analyze the effectof sowing date and nitrogen fertilization on the F. graminearum-wheat interaction. Theexperiment was carried out involving two sowing dates with different nitrogenfertilization and F. graminearum inoculation treatments. A total of 32 variables relatedto the disease parameters, mycotoxin production, grain quality, gluten composition, andseed deterioration were evaluated. Disease severity was significantly increased after F.graminearum inoculation (2.2-fold) while mycotoxin production increased significantlyfor the delayed sowing date: deoxynivalenol (3.2-fold), 3-ADON (3.6-fold), nivalenol(8-fold), and zearalenone (5-fold).Regarding grain quality, the delayed sowing date showed a decrease in the proteinpercentage (-15%) and gluten concentration (-17.9%), while an increase of test weight(+6.2%) were observed. Seed deterioration variables showed differences amonglongevity parameters showing an increase in seed vigor and viability in the late sowingdate. In conclusion, sowing date and nitrogen fertilization could affect FHB severity,mycotoxin contamination, and grain quality.