Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease of wheat and small grain cereals worldwide, causing yield losses, reducing grain quality, and leading to mycotoxin contamination of grain. Since the 1920s, researchers have discussed the role played by anther and pollen in the infection process for FHB. Breeding for resistance to FHB by conventional selection is feasible, the identification of anther and pollen traits in increasing FHB susceptibility can catalyse breeding efforts for increased barley resistance. This study has found that the absence of anthers decreases the percentage of spore germination and phenotypic susceptibility of barley to both F. graminearum and F. culmorum.

The damage caused by FHB in the male-sterile lines that did not produce functional anthers and pollens was significantly lower than the damage in wild type barley plants that produce functional anther and pollen. These results suggest that pollen or anthers are important factors in infection or spread of FHB, therefore closed-flowering phenotype in barley have a lower risk of the disease.

This could be applied in the form of breeding cleistogamous lines that have anthers that remain sealed throughout the entirety of their development and reproduction, thereby preventing the point of entry for the fungi. Alternatively, to ensure cross pollination with neighbouring crops, breeding programs may target crops with rapid anther extrusion or partial anther extrusion. Lastly the study suggests future research into the role of choline and betaine in barley infection, as well as further research into the potential presence of other fungal growth molecules within anthers.

• Visual assessment of Barley anthers and pollen infected with Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum to identify the resistance or progression of Fusarium head blight (FSB) 

• Assessed conidial germination and germ tube growth through the use of light microscopy

• Conducted fungal biological assays to assess the percentage of spore germination

• Communicated research data in multiple forms of communication