Fusarium Head Blight and Crown Rot on Wheat & Barley: Losses and Health Risks

Abstract

Wheat and Barley is the most production and consumption grains in the world. The necrotrophic Fusarium spp is pathogen caused many diseases on plants, the major two disease caused by Fusarium on wheat is Fusarium Crown rot (FCR) and head blight (FHB), also known as scab. These both disease caused severe damage on yield quality and quantity, the produced seed seem to be small, shriveled pale white appearance with low contain of protein, that reflected on reduce yield up to 61%. Mycotoxins contamination in the grain, will lead to contamination the products that manufactured from these crops, as well as the contamination yield will be lower price than the healthy yield, which leads to a significant loss to the producer. The major FCR and FHB mycotoxins as DON, NIV, ZEN can caused many disease symptoms to consumers who consumes contaminate food, whether is human or animal, such as cancers, immunosuppression, fertilization problem, abortion and etc.