Reducing the impact of Fusarium head blight in barley through in-crop management strategies

This project is funded by Alberta Barley in collaboration with Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) and the National Barley Research Cluster. 

Timeline: 2018-2023 

Project lead: Dr. Thomas Kelly Turkington, Lacombe Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 

Alberta Barley funding: $71,930 

Fusarium head blight (FHB) now affects most of Canada and can be a devastating disease. While there is currently a lack of effective management or prevention options, we know that using an integrated crop management approach can lessen the impact. This research aims to determine how we can better reduce FHB and potential mycotoxin contamination in barley and ultimately improve the quality of the resulting malt. Overall this will make barley a more attractive cropping option for producers and improve the end product for maltsters.