Resistance to fusarium head blight (FHB) among the 2013 elite wheat genotypes of the south warm and dry zone in Iran under field and greenhouse conditions

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most important diseases of wheat in the North warm and humid zone of Iran. The disease has also been reported from the South warm and dry zone of Iran, and in some cases there has been considerable damage from the disease in this zone. For the purpose of identifying FHB-resistant wheat genotypes, the reactions of 32 genotypes of the Elite Regional Wheat Yield Trial of the South warm and dry zone in 1392 (ERWYT-S-1392) to FHB were determined under field conditions in two locations (Gorgan and Moghan) for two successive growing years (2013-14 and 2014-15). The genotypes were also tested for FHB resistance under greenhouse conditions. Results of combined analysis of variance for several datasets including disease incidence, severity, index and Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) from field experiments showed significant differences among the genotypes for all traits. Significant differences were also observed among the genotypes tested under greenhouse conditions. Among the 32 genotypes examined, S-92-6 and S-92-7 were the most resistant genotypes to FHB under field and greenhouse conditions. They seemed to have three types of resistance including type I, type II and type IV. These genotypes may be recommended as candidates to replace the older cultivars in the South wam and dry zone in the term of resistance to FHB. In the second priority, three genotypes of S-92-2, S-92-3 and S-92-4 with an optimal level of resistance to FHB may also be recommended.