Fusarium Species in the Grain of Winter Wheat in Poland in 2014–2017 and 2019

This study examines the relationship between meteorological variables and the prevalence of Fusarium species at 26 grain sampling sites over five years. We analyzed average temperatures for May, June, and July, which showed significant year-to-year variability, with the highest deviations in 2019 and the lowest in 2014. Similarly, precipitation varied substantially each year, with notable differences between 2014 and 2019. The measurement of Fusarium DNA indicated its presence in most samples, with peak levels in southeastern and northwest Poland. Five Fusarium species were identified, with F. graminearum s.s. being the most dominant. The geographic distribution of Fusarium DNA revealed significant regional differences, with the highest levels in specific provinces each year. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between DNA levels of F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, and F. graminearum s.s. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed strong relationships among these species, especially in samples from 2016 and 2017. We also found a positive correlation between Fusarium DNA levels and precipitation during the flowering and ripening stages, and a negative correlation with temperature during stem elongation and milk-dough phases. These results highlight the complex interactions between climate factors and Fusarium occurrence in winter wheat grain, shedding light on environmental influences on fungal epidemiology in agricultural systems.