Fusarium Crown Rot Reduces Water Use and Causes Yield Penalties in Wheat under Adequate and above Average Water Availability

The cereal disease Fusarium crown rot (FCR), caused by the fungal pathogen pseudograminearum, is a worldwide major constraint to winter production but especially in Australia’s northern grain’s region (NGR) of NSW and Queensland. Conventionally, FCR induced yield penalties are associated with semi-arid water-limited conditions during flowering grain-filling. In this study, infection were found be significant under both adequate above average water which has implication for global wheat more favorable environments. This research was conducted understand impact on availability, grain quality high protein bread durum varieties controlled environment replicated field experiments across three locations NGR over two-year period. Under conditions, significantly decreased use 7.5% an reduction 9.5% irrespective treatment. Above rainfall experienced all experimental sites 2020 2021 growing seasons. studies demonstrated decrease upwards 23% at some cultivars up 18.4% natural rainfed scenarios still 13.2% further supplementary irrigation.