Paul Fenwick and Lee Robinson of plant breeders Nickerson check for Fusarium levels in one of the company’s evaluation plots at Rothwell, Lincolnshire.

“We have the ideal climate for Fusarium in the UK,” noted Mr Fenwick, Nickerson’s plant pathologist. “And the risk is heightened in mixed cropping areas where maize is grown as the maize trash carries the inoculum over into the following wheat.

“The warning sign is showery or unsettled weather around flowering, and if ever a season could be called unsettled, 2007 is surely the one,” he cautioned.

“Fusarium is the driver for Mycotoxin problems and is an issue for all wheats, but is a particular concern for quality wheats.,” said Lee Robinson the company’s cereals product manager. “Both our nabim Group 1 wheats, Solstice and Xi19, have good resistance and are doing well in this difficult season.

“Whatever the variety, we would advise growers who have concerns about Fusarium levels in their wheat this season to put it over a screen to remove small, shrivelled grains before submitting a sample to buyers,” added Mr Robinson.