Cereal Chem 62:191-197   |  VIEW ARTICLE
The Effects of Fusarium Graminearum Infection on Wheat Kernels.

D. B. Bechtel, L. A. Kaleidau, R. L. Gaines, and L. M. Seitz. Copyright 1985 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. 

A number of tests were conducted on scabby wheat to determine what damage was caused by fungal infection. Hard red winter wheat infected with Fusarium graminearum was graded into three categories based on appearance: 1) normal kernels appearing sound, of good color and weight; 2) lightly infected kernels of normal size but of light weight and color; and 3) heavily infected kernels that were shriveled and light colored. These wheat classes were then analyzed to detect fungal presence using light and electron microscopy, histochemistry, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of storage proteins, germination tests, and plating. The results of these tests revealed that the fungus is an aggressive invader destroying starch granules, storage proteins, and cell walls. The fungus was most prevalent in aleurone and pericarp tissues, but hyphae were found throughout the starchy endosperm. The germ seemed to be spared infection except in heavily invaded kernels, however, the lightly infected kernels with apparently uninfected germs exhibited reduced germination and vigor. Microscopic examination of lightly infected kernels germinating revealed extensive invasion of the scutellum and embryonic axis, indicating renewed fungal growth during imbibition. The results of this study suggest that a visual inspection of scabby wheat kernels can be used to discern gross differences in infection.