Pre-farm gate parameters shown to influence mycotoxin accumulation in oats and other cereals include the previous crop cultivated at the site, the variety, fertiliser inputs, pesticide inputs and weather conditions, particularly from flag leaf emergence onwards. Meaningful assessment of the impact of crop rotations is beyond the scope of this project. But, building on international findings and nuanced to the conditions of our Island, other key factors that can be assessed within the timeframe include the impact of variety, agronomic inputs (nitrogen, fungicides, biopesticides) and climate on mycotoxin accumulation.
Objectives
• Determine the role of current oat varieties in levels of FHB and mycotoxin contamination.
• Determine through dedicated field trials the impacts key agronomic practises of N fertilisation, plant growth regulation and fungicide application have on the development of FHB and mycotoxins in Irish oat crops.
• Determine through a combination of field trials and controlled studies the potential role of current and near market fungicides /biopesticides on the control of the key species of Fusarium infecting Irish oat crops.
• Build on existing UK/Irish research to assess the impact of climate change on mycotoxin contamination of grain.
Lead Researcher, Institution & Other Institutions involved
Prof. Fiona Doohan (UCD); Dr. Steven Kildea, Dr. Martin Danaher (Teagasc), Dr. Lisa Black (AFBI), Prof. Chris Elliott (QUB), Prof. Andrew Parnell (NUIM).