b'FUSARIUM Fusarium graminearium culture in a petri dish.PHOTO: 20/20 SEED LABSStay Vigilant inWHILE FUSARIUM MAYno longer be a regulated crop pathogen in Alberta, its still vital farmers continue their battle against the costly fungal pest. Not only can it cause a wheat or barley crop to be Fight Againstdowngraded and discounted, but the resulting infection also poses risks to the entire value chain.Fusarium was officially removed from Albertas Pest and Fusarium Nuisance Control Regulation Act three years ago. However, the battle against fusarium graminearum infection in the province continues despite deregulation, with greater emphasis now on education and best management practices.Monica Klaas, general manager of the Alberta Seed Processors Information and awareness haveagrees with the provinces decision to remove fusarium as a always been and continue to be theregulated pest, but says its important now more than everfor farmers to get their seed tested for this pathogen.best defences against fusarium.Information and awareness have always been the best defenses to fight fusarium. Being educated on the pathogen, its presence, and control mechanisms are smart defenses for all crop diseases, including fusarium. Additionally, working together as an entire value chain with open communication serves everyone well, she says in an email interview.Fusarium was first declared a pest in 1999 with the goal of reducing the spread of the pathogen through infected seed, Klaas says. While this strategy was effective in early years, the pathogen then became established in many regions of the province. Hence, the strategy needed to change from regulation to management, she adds. This now allows the industry to focus on management, rather than having possible false hope that a decades-old regulation will stop the spread of a pathogen.26seed.ab.ca'