Effect of Kernel Development and Wet Periods on Production of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat Infected WithGibberella zeae

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Abstract
Increasing the time wheat heads were enclosed in plastic bags after inoculation with G. zeae increased the severity of infection and the level of deoxynivalenol [a livestock affecting mycotoxin] in grain harvested immediately after removal of the plastic and in fully ripe grain. Deoxynivalenol was detected in ripe field-inoculated grain when heads were covered with plastic bags for 3 and 6 h immediately after inoculation, even though there were no symptoms of infection. Inoculating heads after the kernels were filled resulted in less yield loss, but the production of deoxynivalenol was dependent on the hours of head wetness and not the stage of kernel development. When wheat was inoculated with G. zeae before kernel fill, grain weight was lower compared to wheat inoculated after kernel fill.