Gibberella avenacea
fusarium blight
Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium avenaceum f.sp. fabae, Fusarium avenaceum subsp. aywerte, Fusarium roseum var. avenaceum
Worldwide, primarily in temperate regions.
AZ, CA, CO, CT, ID, MT, NV, NY, ND, TX, WA, WY
2025-10-23
fungus
Thailand
Wide host range. Main: Fabaceae and Poaceae family, as well as some Brassicaceae and Cucurbitaceae.
GIBBAV
One of many Fusaria, Gibberella's that may contaminate kernels.
10 Known Hosts
Avena sativa
oat
Yes
GIBBAV-4
The pathogen is commonly isolated from seed, though seed transmission is unclear. Inoculum from field sources is more important in disease development.
A blotter test has been described for corn (NSHS, USDA).
GIBBAV-5, GIBBAV-8
Seed fungicides
Common seed fungicides have been effective.
GIBBAV-1
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Seed Health Testing Method for Fusarium Mz 7.1 National Seed Health System, 2019. www.seedhealth.org
Singh, D. V., Mathur, S. B. and Neergaard, P. 1974. Seed health testing of maize. Evaluation of testing techniques with particular reference to Drechslera maydis. Seed Sci. Technol. 2:349-365.
Gibberella avenacea In: Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Beta vulgaris
table beet, swiss chard
No
GIBBAV-4
The above reference cited an unpublished reference to seed as a possible pathway, but no data presented. This is the only reference indicating beet is a host.
2025-10-23 14:06:27
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Brassica oleracea vars.
broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts
No
GIBBAV-2, GIBBAV-4, GIBBAV-6
Several references list seed as a pathway for this pathogen. No references with supporting data were found.
International Seed Federation Regulated Pest List Database. www.pestlist.worldseed.org. Nyon, switzerland
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Neergaard P., 1977. Seed Pathology. vol. I and II. The McMillian Press, London, UK
Cucurbita spp.
squash, pumpkin, gourd
No
GIBBAV-2, GIBBAV-4
Pathway not proven. Some references (GIBBAV-4) list seed as a pathway for this pathogen, no references with supporting data were found.
Daucus carota
carrot
No
GIBBAV-2, GIBBAV-4
G. avenacea causes root rots in carrots but there is no evidence that seed is a pathway in carrot.
Hordeum vulgare
barley
Yes
GIBBAV-1, GIBBAV-4, GIBBAV-13
The pathogen is commonly isolated from seed, though seed transmission is unclear. Inoculum from field sources is more important in disease development.
A blotter test has been described for corn ( NSHS USDA). Most research utilized this method.
Fungicides
Common seed fungicides have been effective.
GIBBAV-1
Gibberella avenacea In: Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Hacking A., Rosser, W., & Dervish, M. 1976. Zearalenone‐producing species of Fusarium on barley seed. Annals of Applied Biology, 84:7-11.
Secale cereale
rye
No
GIBBAV-1, GIBBAV-4
Pathway not proven. Though rye seed is commonly listed as a pathway, most literature does not distinguish this pathogen from other similar Fusarium sp.
A blotter test has been described for corn (NSHS USDA).
Common seed fungicides have been effective for other grains
GIBBAV-1
Sorghum bicolor
sorghum
No
GIBBAV-1, GIBBAV-4
Pathway not proven. Though sorghum is a host and seed is commonly listed as a pathway, most literature does not distinguish this pathogen from other similar Fusarium sp.
A blotter test has been described for corn (NSHS USDA).
Common seed fungicides have been effective for other grains.
GIBBAV-1
Triticum aestivum
wheat
Yes
GIBBAV-1, GIBBAV-9, GIBBAV-10
The pathogen is commonly isolated from seed, though seed transmission is unclear. Duben and Fehrmann (1980) demonstrated transmission using artificially inoculated seed. No reports of natural seed transmission were found. Inoculum from field sources is more important in disease development.
No
A blotter test has been described for corn (GIBBAV-8, NSHS,USDA). Most research utilized this method.
Seed treatments
Common seed fungicides have been effective.
GIBBAV-1
Gibberella avenacea In: Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Duben J; Fehrmann H, 1980. Occurrence and pathogenicity of Fusarium species on winter wheat in the German Federal Republic III. Relation between infection of the haulm base and the ear. Zeitschrift fur Pflanzenkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutz, 87:1-12
Duthie JA; Hall R; Asselin AV, 1986. Fusarium species from seed of winter wheat in eastern Canada. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 8:282-288
Zea mays
corn
Yes
GIBBAV-1, GIBBAV-7, GIBBAV-4
One of many Gibberella spp. and Fusarium spp. that can be found on corn kernels, although this pathogen is less common than others. No reports on seed transmission were found.
Yes
Agar plating, Grow out, Blotter paper
Blotter paper is the NSHS standard test.
NSHSUSDA, GIBBAV-8
Fungicide shown effective in subterranean clover and wheat.
Seed treatments were successful for clover and wheat.
GIBBAV-11, GIBBAV-12
Gibberella avenacea In: Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Bottalico A; Logrieco A; Visconti A, 1989. Fusarium species and their mycotoxins in infected corn in Italy. Mycopathologia, 107:85-92
Richardson MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Disease. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Singh, D. V., Mathur, S. B. and Neergaard, P. 1974. Seed health testing of maize. Evaluation of testing techniques with particular reference to Drechslera maydis. Seed Sci. Technol. 2:349-365.
McGee DC; Kellock AW, 1974. Fusarium avenaceum, a seed-borne pathogen of subterranean clover roots. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 25:549-557.
Hutcheon JA; Jordan VWL, 1992. Fungicide timing and performance for Fusarium control in wheat. Brighton Crop Protection Conference, Pests and Diseases ,Vol. 2., 633-638
Search the database