Fusarium culmorum
cereal culm rot
Fusarium culmorum f. 1, Fusarium culmorum var. leteius, Fusarium culmorum var. majus, Fusarium roseum, Fusarium roseum cv. culmorum, Fusarium roseum f.sp. cerealis cv. culmorum, Fusisporium culmorum
Worldwide
Widespread
2025-12-05
fungus
Korea
Primarily grains and grasses. Reported on a wide range of hosts, but usually as a probable saprophyte. Main: oats, barley, ryegrass, wheat; Other Leek, cucumber, grasses
FUSACU
Fusarium culmorum is a soilborne fungus that infects cereals, causing seedling blight, foot and root rot, and head blight. It survives in soil and crop residues and can produce harmful mycotoxins. Infection is favored by wet conditions, and while it can be seedborne, soil and residue are the main sources of inoculum.
Crops
Avena sativa
oat
Yes
FUSACU-3, CABI CPC, FUSACU-14, FUSACU-15, FUSACU-18, FUSACU-21, FUSACU-22
Oat seed as a pathway for Fusarium culmorum is well established and accepted. Infected oat grain may also contain mycotoxins produced by the pathogen.
Yes
Blotter Incubation
Though blotter incubation assays are commonly used for fungal contamination of seed, no references were found indicating this test has been validated or standardized.
FUSACU-5, FUSACU-6
Chemical
Seed treatments (chemical and biological)
CABI CPC
2025-12-11 15:08:31
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Fernandez, M. R., Holzgang, G., 2009. Fungal populations in subcrown internodes and crowns of oat crops in Saskatchewan.Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89(3) 549-557.
Bourdages, J. V., Marchand, S., Rioux, S., Belzile, F. J., 2006. Diversity and prevalence of Fusarium species from Quebec barley fields.Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 28(3) 419-425.
Wagacha, J. M., & Muthomi, J. W. (2007). Fusarium culmorum: Infection process, mechanisms of mycotoxin production and their role in pathogenesis in wheat. Crop protection, 26(7), 877-885.
Jackowiak, H., Packa, D., Wiwart, M. and Perkowski, J., 2005. Scanning electron microscopy of Fusarium damaged kernels of spring wheat. International journal of food microbiology, 98(2), pp.113-123.
Podgórska-Kryszczuk, I., Solarska, E., & Kordowska-Wiater, M. (2022). Biological Control of Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium poae by Antagonistic Yeasts. Pathogens, 11(1), 86.
Limonard, T. (1966). A modified blotter test for seed health. Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology, 72, 319–321.
Mead HW, Broadfoot WC, and Machacek JE, 1950. A Study of Some Seed-Borne Diseases of Cereals in Canada: I. Comparison of Seed Testing Methods. Scientific Agriculture. 30:350-360
Hordeum vulgare
barley
Yes
FUSACU-2, FUSACU-7, CABI CPC, FUSACU-13, FUSACU-16, FUSACU-17, FUSACU-18, FUSACU-19, FUSACU-21, FUSACU-22
Barley seed as a pathway for Fusarium culmorum is well established and accepted. Infected grain may also contain mycotoxins produced by the pathogen.
Yes
Blotter incubation
Though blotter incubation assays are commonly used for fungal contamination of seed, no references were found indicating this test has been validated or standardized.
FUSACU-5
biological, chemical
Resistant varieties are available. Seed treatments most effective for planting seed.
CABI CPC
2025-12-11 15:42:04
Farr, D.F. and Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. 2019, http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/
Oliveria P, Mauch A, Jacob F, and Ardendt AK. 2012. Impact of Fusarium Culmorum-Infected Barley Malt Grains on Brewing and Beer Quality. Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists 70:186-194
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Strausbaugh, C. A., Bradley, C. A., Koehn, A. C., Forster, R. L., 2004. Survey of root diseases of wheat and barley in southeastern Idaho.Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 26(2) 167-176.
Nagaraja, H., Chennappa, G., Rao, K.P.C., Prasad, G.M. and Sreenivasa, M.Y., 2016. Diversity of toxic and phytopathogenic Fusarium species occurring on cereals grown in Karnataka state, India. 3 Biotech, 6(1), p.57. DOI 10.1007/s13205-016-0399-5.
Mesterhazy, A., Toldine Toth, E., Szel, S., Varga, M., & Toth, B. (2020). Resistance of maize hybrids to Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. verticillioides ear rots with toothpick and silk channel inoculation, as well as their toxin production. Agronomy, 10(9), 1283.
Wagacha, J. M., & Muthomi, J. W. (2007). Fusarium culmorum: Infection process, mechanisms of mycotoxin production and their role in pathogenesis in wheat. Crop protection, 26(7), 877-885.
Liu, W., Elen, O.N., Sundheim, L., Langseth, W. and Skinnes, H., 1997. Comparison of visual head blight ratings, seed infection levels, and deoxynivalenol production for assessment of resistance in cereals inoculated with Fusarium culmorum. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 103(7), pp.589-595.
Jackowiak, H., Packa, D., Wiwart, M. and Perkowski, J., 2005. Scanning electron microscopy of Fusarium damaged kernels of spring wheat. International journal of food microbiology, 98(2), pp.113-123.
Podgórska-Kryszczuk, I., Solarska, E., & Kordowska-Wiater, M. (2022). Biological Control of Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium poae by Antagonistic Yeasts. Pathogens, 11(1), 86.
Limonard, T. (1966). A modified blotter test for seed health. Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology, 72, 319–321.
Poaceae family
grasses
UNCertain
FUSACU-11, FUSACU-3, FUSACU-8
Fusarium culmorum has been detected on several grass seed species, but only in laboratory seed quality tests, and no evidence demonstrates natural seed transmission. More recent studies provide inconclusive results regarding seed as a pathway in grasses.
Yes
Blotter incubation
Though blotter incubation assays are commonly used for fungal contamination of seed, no references were found indicating this test has been validated or standardized.
FUSACU-5, FUSACU-8
Chemical
Seed treatments have shown to be effective.
CABI CPC
2025-12-11 16:00:00
Inch S, and Gilbert J. 2003. The incidence of Fusarium species recovered
from inflorescences of wild grasses in southern
Manitoba. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 25: 379–383
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Crosier W and Weimer D. 1939. Some Fungi Associated with Grass Seed. Proceedings of the Association of Official Seed Analysts of North America 31:120-124
Limonard, T. (1966). A modified blotter test for seed health. Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology, 72, 319–321.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Secale cereale
rye
Yes
FUSACU-3, CABI CPC, FUSACU-16, FUSACU-21
Rye seed can become infected with Fusarium culmorum, leading to seedling rot when conditions are unfavorable, such as in wet or saturated soils.
Yes
Blotter Incubation
Though blotter incubation assays are commonly used for fungal contamination of seed, no references were found indicating this test has been validated or standardized.
FUSACU-5
Chemical
A wide range of chemical seed treatments and Streptomyces antimycoticus FZB53 as a biocontrol agent are effective
CABI CPC
2025-12-11 15:46:01
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Nagaraja, H., Chennappa, G., Rao, K.P.C., Prasad, G.M. and Sreenivasa, M.Y., 2016. Diversity of toxic and phytopathogenic Fusarium species occurring on cereals grown in Karnataka state, India. 3 Biotech, 6(1), p.57. DOI 10.1007/s13205-016-0399-5.
Jackowiak, H., Packa, D., Wiwart, M. and Perkowski, J., 2005. Scanning electron microscopy of Fusarium damaged kernels of spring wheat. International journal of food microbiology, 98(2), pp.113-123.
Limonard, T. (1966). A modified blotter test for seed health. Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology, 72, 319–321.
Triticum aestivum
wheat
Yes
FUSACU-3, FUSACU-9, CABI CPC, FUSACU-12, FUSACU-16, FUSACU-17, FUSACU-18, FUSACU-19, FUSACU-20, FUSACU-21, FUSACU-22
Wheat seed as a pathway for Fusarium culmorum is well established and accepted. Infected grain may also contain mycotoxins produced by the pathogen.
Yes
Blotter Incubation
Though blotter incubation assays are commonly used for fungal contamination of seed, no references were found indicating this test has been validated or standardized.
FUSACU-5
Biological, chemical
Resistant varieties are available. Seed treatments most effective for planting seed.
CABI CPC
2025-12-11 15:42:32
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Roberti, R., Flori, P., Pisi, A., Brunelli, A. and Cesari, A. 2000. Evaluation of biological seed treatment of wheat for the control of seed-borne Fusarium culmorum. J. Plant Dis. Prot. 107: 484–493.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Sharifi, K., Zare, R., Zamanizadeh, H. R., Mirabolfathy, M., Rezaee, S., 2016. Identification of Fusarium species associated with Fusarium head blight of wheat in the North of Iran and phylogenetic analysis of the dominant species.Rostaniha, 17(2) 173-187.
Nagaraja, H., Chennappa, G., Rao, K.P.C., Prasad, G.M. and Sreenivasa, M.Y., 2016. Diversity of toxic and phytopathogenic Fusarium species occurring on cereals grown in Karnataka state, India. 3 Biotech, 6(1), p.57. DOI 10.1007/s13205-016-0399-5.
Mesterhazy, A., Toldine Toth, E., Szel, S., Varga, M., & Toth, B. (2020). Resistance of maize hybrids to Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. verticillioides ear rots with toothpick and silk channel inoculation, as well as their toxin production. Agronomy, 10(9), 1283.
Wagacha, J. M., & Muthomi, J. W. (2007). Fusarium culmorum: Infection process, mechanisms of mycotoxin production and their role in pathogenesis in wheat. Crop protection, 26(7), 877-885.
Liu, W., Elen, O.N., Sundheim, L., Langseth, W. and Skinnes, H., 1997. Comparison of visual head blight ratings, seed infection levels, and deoxynivalenol production for assessment of resistance in cereals inoculated with Fusarium culmorum. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 103(7), pp.589-595.
Kang, Z. and Buchenauer, H., 2000. Cytology and ultrastructure of the infection of wheat spikes by Fusarium culmorum. Mycological Research, 104(9), pp.1083-1093.
Jackowiak, H., Packa, D., Wiwart, M. and Perkowski, J., 2005. Scanning electron microscopy of Fusarium damaged kernels of spring wheat. International journal of food microbiology, 98(2), pp.113-123.
Podgórska-Kryszczuk, I., Solarska, E., & Kordowska-Wiater, M. (2022). Biological Control of Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium poae by Antagonistic Yeasts. Pathogens, 11(1), 86.
Limonard, T. (1966). A modified blotter test for seed health. Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology, 72, 319–321.
Zea mays
corn
Uncertain
FUSACU-4, CABI CPC, FUSACU-16, FUSACU-17, FUSACU-22
Fusarium culmorum can be associated with corn seed, particularly in Canada and northern Europe, but it is less common in U.S. seed production areas. Seed as a pathway is uncertain: no studies demonstrate natural seed transmission in corn, though its behavior may be similar to other Fusarium species. The fungus primarily persists in soil and crop debris and spreads via wind and rain splash.
Yes
Blotter incubation
NSHS METHOD: Mz 7.1 Blotter (Singh et al., 1974) (formerly Cf 8.2)
NSHS METHOD: Mz 7.1 Blotter
FUSACU-10
biological, chemical, cultural
Management strategies include field inspection or seed testing of representative samples, use of fungicide seed treatments, crop rotation and residue management, and planting resistant or tolerant varieties.
CABI CPC
2025-12-11 16:07:28
McGee, DC. 1988. Maize Diseases: A reference Source for Seed Technologists. APS Press, St. Paul, MN USA. 150 pp.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Nagaraja, H., Chennappa, G., Rao, K.P.C., Prasad, G.M. and Sreenivasa, M.Y., 2016. Diversity of toxic and phytopathogenic Fusarium species occurring on cereals grown in Karnataka state, India. 3 Biotech, 6(1), p.57. DOI 10.1007/s13205-016-0399-5.
Mesterhazy, A., Toldine Toth, E., Szel, S., Varga, M., & Toth, B. (2020). Resistance of maize hybrids to Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. verticillioides ear rots with toothpick and silk channel inoculation, as well as their toxin production. Agronomy, 10(9), 1283.
Podgórska-Kryszczuk, I., Solarska, E., & Kordowska-Wiater, M. (2022). Biological Control of Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium poae by Antagonistic Yeasts. Pathogens, 11(1), 86.
Seed Health Testing Method for Fusarium Mz 7.1 National Seed Health System, 2019. www.seedhealth.org
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