DNA-Based Quantification of Fusarium Species in Winter Wheat Grain in Poland from 2014 to 2017 and 2019

This study investigates the connection between meteorological variables and the presence of Fusarium species across 26 grain sampling sites over five years. We analyzed average temperatures for May, June, and July, which showed substantial year-to-year fluctuations, with the most significant deviations in 2019 and the smallest in 2014. Precipitation also varied greatly each year, with notable differences between 2014 and 2019. The measurement of Fusarium DNA revealed its presence in most samples, with peak levels observed in southeastern and northwest Poland. Five Fusarium species were identified, with F. graminearum s.s. and F. poae being the most prevalent, depending on the year. The geographic distribution of Fusarium DNA demonstrated significant regional differences, with the highest levels found in specific provinces each year. Statistical analysis indicated significant correlations between DNA levels of F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, and F. graminearum s.s. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) uncovered strong relationships among these species, especially in samples from 2016 and 2017. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between Fusarium DNA levels and precipitation during flowering and ripening stages, and a negative correlation with temperature during stem elongation and milk-dough phases. These findings highlight the complex interactions between climate factors and Fusarium presence in winter wheat grain, providing insight into environmental influences on fungal ecology in agricultural systems.