The University of Minnesota Small Grains Initiative

Minnesota lawmakers first appropriated funding to advance research of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB, scab) in 1994, following the severe 1993 epidemic that affected much of the Northern Plains.  The funding history is as follows: 1994- $477,000; 1996/97- $1 million; 1998/99- $1.65 million; 2000/01- $1.65 million; 2002/03- $1.65 million. 

Minnesota wheat and barley producers have supported the research effort with their own dollars, investing well over $1 million through the wheat and barley checkoff programs administered by the Minnesota Wheat and Barley Councils toward disease research and breeding for disease research. 

With Initiative funding established in 1994, the U of M FHB Research Initiative began in earnest in 1995. It is now a leading research effort among agricultural experiment stations in the nation, involving about 20 principle investigators and in all, about 75 people in four departments and three campuses (St. Paul, Crookston, Morris).

Following is a snapshot of recent FHB research and accomplishments, and since the epidemic of 1993. This research is augmented by Minnesota wheat and barley growers through their checkoff programs, managed respectively by the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, and the Minnesota Barley Council.  While significant, tangible progress has been made, the ultimate objective of bringing FHB under control in Minnesota is still underway. 

Further, researchers and crop experts are realizing that there are other influencing factors, which must be addressed.  For example, poor and inadequate field drainage can extenuate conditions favorable for FHB development. As well, just like other holes in a water dike can’t be ignored by focusing too much attention on another one, researchers cannot forget other diseases such as rust, tan spot or septoria that can have an equally serious effect on Minnesota grain farms. The U of M FHB Research Initiative is now referred to as the U of M Small Grains Initiative to recognize this need for a balanced research approach.

10 Years of FHB (Scab) in Minnesota

	1999	2003
Epidemiology	Little known about how FHB develops and spreads.	Much better understanding about how and when FHB develops and spreads, and how it affects yield and quality.
Screening methods	Limited methods of evaluation, some screening in St. Paul.	Better screening techniques developed; screening nurseries now in place at Crookston, Morris, and at St. Paul that facilitate detection of FHB tolerant varieties
Germplasm	Limited investigation and testing of tolerant germplasm.	U of M researchers now work with other crop scientists around the world to investigate and evaluate promising germplasm with potential disease resistance genes.
Varieties	Most varieties grown susceptible to FHB.	Varieties more tolerant of FHB now available.
Fungicide applications	Little known about applying fungicides to suppress FHB.	Significantly improved niques.knowledge and tech- niques
DON testing	Few samples tested in MN.	Development of rapid, accurate means of mycotoxin analysis in scabby grain samples, and computerized optical scanning approaches. U of M now a major hub for DON sample analysis.
Marketing, utilization	Little known about how infected grain may be marketed and utilized.	Better understanding of how infected grain may be marketed and utilized, including livestock feed.
Storage	Little known about FHB, DON of stored grain.	Better understanding of DON, FHB in stored grain.
Coordinated research	Little coordination with crop scientists in other states on FHB research.	Coordinated screening nurseries, evaluation of germplasm, varieties, and fungicides with other researchers in the U.S. and Canada.
Research Personnel, equipment	Little research time or equipment focused on FHB.	FHB now a major research focus of wheat and barley research, with dedicated personnel armed with new and better equipment and facilities.
Research technology	No molecular markers employed to research FHB in place.FHB; no means of predicting	Utilization of molecular approaches now employed to accelerate resistance.  Coordi employed to accelerate resistance. Coordi nated disease forecasting system now in place.
Outreach and Education	Little information available on how to manage and prevent FHB.	Much better understanding and awareness of how FHB is affected by field residue, rotation, planting dates, and other management approaches to minimize FHB.

For more information about the Small Grains Research Initiative:

Phil Larsen, Vice President & Dean COAFES, ph. 612-625-1999,  phill@umn.edu

Frank Pfleger, Plant Pathology Dept Head and Initiative Coordinator, Ph: 612/625-9736, pfleg001@umn.edu

Tom Anderson, Chair, Small Grain Research and Education Committee, ph. 218-354-7556, farmandy1@rrt.net

Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, David Torgerson, Executive Director, ph. 218-253-4311, torgerso@gvtel.com

Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council, Marvin Zutz, Executive Director, ph. 218-253-4311, mzutz@gvtel.com

More comprehensive scab research information may be found in the booklet, “2002 Wheat Research Review.” It is free to the public and may be requested by contacting the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, 1-800-242-6118. More scab research information is also available on the World Wide Web, at the MWRPC web site, www.smallgrains.org , and the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, www.maes.umn.edu .  Research conducted at the U of M and other research institutions under the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative can be found on the Internet at: www.scabusa.org.

This report prepared in cooperation by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council. Photos: Richard Magnusson, Tracy Sayler, Dave Hansen, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.