The Relationship of Climate Variables With the Occurrence of Fusarium pseudograminearum , an Emerging Pathogen Causing Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat in Henan Province of China

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum has been increasingly prevalent in China. This study aimed to understand the prevalence and distribution of F. pseudograminearum as a pathogen causing FHB in Henan Province of China in relation to climatic conditions. A total of 1074 Fusarium isolates were obtained from diseased wheat heads in 71 fields in Henan Province during 2018–2020. F. pseudograminearum was present in 29 of the 71 fields, accounting for 17.3% of the total number of Fusarium isolates obtained. It was mainly distributed in the irrigated areas of northern Henan and the dry‐farming areas of western Henan. Compared to F. graminearum , F. pseudograminearum favoured drier and colder conditions during the winter and early spring, drier conditions in the pre‐anthesis period, and warmer conditions in the post‐anthesis period. F. pseudograminearum in China can produce a large amount of deoxynivalenol (2.68–54.08 mg/kg), as well as a small amount of 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (trace to 0.72 mg/kg) and zearalenone (trace to 0.25 mg/kg) in grains. Further research is needed to study potential competition among different Fusarium species in the same niche and its consequence on mycotoxin accumulation.