Wheat is one of the most important crops in Serbia. The average area under wheat in theRepublic of Serbia in the period from 2000 to 2011 year amounted 579,289 ha, with an average yield of3.48 t/ha. One of the most important diseases on wheat is Fusarium head blight which can cause anumber of fungal species from Fusarium genus. Within species Fusarium graminearum, Group 2 is themost important. The consequences of infection of wheat ears by fungi from the genus Fusarium aredifferent, but the most common are: reduced yield, physiological and physico-chemical changes of grainand grain mycotoxin contamination. The aim of the study was to test occurence of natural infection byFusarium head blight of eight wheat varietes (Arabeska, NS 40S, Zvezdana, Arija, Gora, Gordana,Simonida, Etida), one spelt variety (Nirvana) and one triticale variety (Odisej). The occurence ofFusarium head blight was tested depending on applied amounts (0 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, 150kg/ha) of nitrogen fertilizer ammonium nitrate (AN 33-35%N) in the form of spring nitrogen and onsowing density (300 grains/m2, 500 grains/m2, 700 grains/m2, 900 grains/m2). Evaluation of intensity ofFusarium ears occurence was conducted in phenophase of milk stage. Agricultural parameters weremonitored at Rimski Šančevi (10 kilometres from Novi Sad) locality during 2011. In May and June 2011variable and warm weather conditions with less rainfall than average were registered. Weatherconditions in May and June 2011 were not favorable for the development of fungi from the genusFusarium and tested cultivars had low average number of infected ears. The highest average number ofinfected ears had NS 40S (15.3) and the lowest variety Gordana (2.0). On spelt and triticale variety,there was no significant occurence of the disease caused by fungi from the Fusarium genus. Quantity ofapplied nitrogen fertilizer as a topdressing wheat showed different effects on development of Fusariumhead blight. It was found that the average number of infected ears is not in positive correlation with theapplied nitrogen fertilizer, except in the variety Etida. Regarding sowing density effects on Fusarium earinfections, it was registered that NS 40S had the highest number of infected ears compared to othertested varieties regardless sowing density.

Fusarium head blight, varieties, fertilization, sowing density.

Presentation: oral