Resistance to fusarium infection in oats (Avena sativa L.)

This paper summarizes the impact of Fusarium in oats, with a special emphasis oil resistance to infection. Oats are generally the less susceptible than the other small-grained cereals, possibly due to the particle structure leading to single spikelet infections, but the levels of mycotoxins (most commonly DON) arc more severe in oats.. A number of species infect oats and the species F. langsethii appears common in Scandinavia and produces T2+HT-2 toxins. Dchulling may generally remove [he toxins, but the yield impact is unknown. In field infections early decay of kernels may frequently be observed. The infection time appears wider than in wheat or barley. Genetic variation exists in the cultivated germplasm, if a wide range is tested, and very susceptible cultivars may be identified. Apparent resistance has been detected in derivatives from A vena sterilis, and its genetics is being investigated.