C04022: Investigation of Fusarium mycotoxins in UK wheat production

Study Duration: October 2001 – June 2007

Contractor: Harper Adams University College

Fusarium mycotoxins are produced on cereal grains by many Fusarium species during fusarium ear blight infection. The most important ear blight pathogens are F. graminearum and F. culmorum which produce deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone and result in the contamination of grain with mycotoxins.

Grain contamination is dependent on a number of agronomic factors and the main aim of this project is to determine the effects of these factors on fusarium mycotoxin levels in UK wheat grain over a five year period (2001- 2005).

Results from the completed project will be used to advise growers on Good Agricultural Practice to reduce fusarium mycotoxins during wheat production, in advance of the European Commission setting limits for fusarium toxins in cereals and cereal products.

Each year approximately 300 samples of wheat from fields of known agronomy will be collected and analysed for ten trichothecenes including deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone. The mycotoxin content will be modelled against the agronomic practices applied to each field to identify the impact of each agronomic factor (e.g. variety, crop rotation, land cultivation and fungicide application).

Legislative limits were introduced in July 2006 for DON and zearalenone in cereals and results from the completed project were used to inform the UK Code of Good Agricultural Practice to reduce fusarium mycotoxins in cereals, which was issued by the Food Standards Agency.

The final report is available from the Agency’s Information Centre.
To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk, Information Services, Food Standards Agency (tel: 020 7276 8181/8182 or email: infocentre@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk)

For any enquiries concerning this research project, please contact the relevant Programme contact or email: science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk