Success StoryFusarium Head Blight in Hemp: From Research to Outreach



Fusarium Head Blight in Hemp: From Research to Outreach

Author: Nicole Gauthier

Planning Unit: Plant Pathology

Major Program: Plant Disease ID

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Fusarium head blight has recently become a serious disease for the emerging hemp industry.  Hemp seed is a nutrient-dense grain with high levels of crude protein and polyunsaturated fats.  The addition of hemp grain products to animal feed has recently been approved in multiple US states. As Fusarium head blight is reported to cause severe losses and produce dangerous mycotoxins, disease management is of major concern. UK hemp pathologists have conducted research that documents causal species, time of fungal infection, extended latent infection periods, cross infection from spring wheat, and transfer of fungal contamination to postharvest storage. This year, research results and recommendations were translated into Extension fact sheets and research reports, newsletter articles, and social media/videos. This information was aggregated on the new UK Hemp Research, Extension, and Education website (hemp.ca.uky.edu/diseases-insect-pests) where site visits reached 3,530 last year. In 2023, the market value of industrial hemp increased 18% from 2022, and grain hemp yields increased >400%. Thus, understanding and managing Fusarium head blight of hemp can protect the emerging hemp industry.






Stories by Nicole Gauthier


Using Solarization to Manage Sclerotinia sp. in High Tunnels

about 4 months ago by Nicole Gauthier

Diseases caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can affect a wide range of plants w... Read More


Disease Scouting Resources: Technological Upgrades for Specialty Crop Growers

about 4 months ago by Nicole Gauthier

Integrated pest management practices are the foundation of disease management, and proper identifica... Read More


Stories by Plant Pathology


Development of "Scabinar 2024", a successful multi-state webinar on management of Fusarium head blight of wheat

about 3 months ago by Carl Bradley

Fusarium head blight (also known as “scab”) of wheat is the most damaging disease that regularly occ... Read More


University of Kentucky Crop Pest Management Webinars--2023

about 3 months ago by Carl Bradley

The University of Kentucky Grain Crops Integrated Pest Management group organized a 4-week webinar s... Read More


Stories by Plant Disease ID


Education of Hemp Growers through 2023 University of Kentucky Hemp Field Day and Educational Sessions

about 4 months ago by Kimberly Leonberger

In 2020, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported that 4,500 acres of hemp were harvested in ... Read More


Educating Commercial Fruit Producers through Holistic IPM Webinar Series

about 4 months ago by Kimberly Leonberger

In 2022, Kentuckys fruit production was valued at $22.8 million (National Agriculture Statistics Ser... Read More