Optimising management strategies to reduce losses from fusarium crown rot in Australian Prime Hard and durum wheats

Abstract

Key findings • Yield loss from Fusarium crown rot (FCR) across all entries averaged 15.1% (0.74 t/ha) under dryland conditions, but was only 6.4% (0.35 t/ha) when moisture stress was reduced during grain filling within the rainfall simulation treatment (supplementary irrigation). • High residual soil nitrogen (N) levels, accumulated from mineralisation under extended drought conditions, limited N management interactions in 2020 at each site. • Fusarium crown rot infection caused significant reductions in grain protein (GP) concentrations, between 0.3% and 0.6% units in some varieties, mainly under dryland conditions. • The combined effect of FCR infection on reducing yield and grain protein led to reductions in grain N removal rates in all varieties of between 10% and 24% (14–30 kg N/ha) under dryland conditions and 4–10% (8–16 kg N/ha) under rainfall simulation. • Variety selection is one of the key management strategies growers can use to maximise yield and grain quality in the presence of FCR infection.