# Mycotoxin Level in Winter Wheat Grain as Impacted by Nitrogen and Manganese Fertilisation
## 4 Discussion
### Fusarium spp. Infestation and Mycotoxin Level  
_Fusarium_ head blight was determined by the habitat conditions during the cropping period. The weather conditions at the beginning of autumn in 2013 favoured a higher plant density and stronger tillering. These conditions during the final growing period, combined with increased humidity and temperature, resulted in a deterioration in the phytosanitary conditions, manifesting themselves in more intensive infestation with _Fusarium_ spp. A lower plant density favours the creation of a beneficial microclimate, which  
Figure 7: The correlation of the influence of weather conditions (rainfall and temperature, IV–VIII) on the intensity of Fusarium head blight and number of mycotoxins in wheat grain: deoxynivalenol (DON); nivalenol (NIV); moniliformin (MON); zeaarlenone (ZEA). is important when higher rainfall is combined with higher temperatures [29]. This kind of microclimate boosts the growth of kernels, accelerates wheat head drying and shortens the time of exposure to infestation with _Fusarium_ spp. According to [PERSON] et al. [16] and [PERSON] et al. [4], the development, growth and propagation of _Fusarium_ in wheat depends on the amount of rainfall. [PERSON] et al. [13] and [PERSON] et al. [4] found infestation with _Fusarium_ to be impacted by high rainfall during cereal blossoming. Fusarium head blight is favoured by long periods of high humidity, higher temperatures (between 15 and 30 \({}^{\circ}\)C) and the occurrence of air currents, disseminating fungi spores during and after the wheat-blossoming period [49]. Nitrogen or manganese fertilisation, as examined in a study conducted by the current authors, did not have an impact on the appearance of _Fusarium_ spp. symptoms on wheat heads. However, the infestation intensity decreased with increasing nitrogen and manganese content. Infestation with _Fusarium_ spp. depends on agronomic procedures, the effectiveness of the fungicides applied and the host's resistance [8]. Despite the association with _Fusarium_ spp. infestation, the presence of mycotoxins is largely dependent on the land filling systems, crop rotation, fertilisation and grain storage [50]. Balanced fertilisation, applied in proper form, can provide suitable nutrients and, therefore, make plants more resistant to pathogen infiltration [51]. Most studies dealing with _Fusarium_ spp. infestation and grain contamination with mycotoxins focus on the impact of nitrogen fertilisation [52; 53; 54] Applying excessive amounts of nitrogen results in extended plant vegetative growth, making leaves more exposed to pathogens and the cellular wall thinner and more susceptible to penetration by fungi [55]. According to [PERSON] et al. [22] and [PERSON] [56], increasing nitrogen fertiliser rates had a significant impact on higher wheat infestation by _Fusarium_. The results of the experiments conducted by [PERSON] et al. [23], [PERSON] et al. [24] and [PERSON] et al. [4] did not show a significant impact of nitrogen fertilisation on infestation by _Fusarium_ spp. and mycotoxin production in wheat grains. Four mycotoxins were found in wheat grain: deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), zearalenone (ZEA) and moniliformin (MON). The weather conditions were found to have a varied impact on the cereal grain contamination with mycotoxins produced by _Fusarium_. A study conducted by [PERSON] et al. [4] demonstrated a significant impact of the growing season on mycotoxin production due to higher rainfall during the blossoming period when the wheat head is the most susceptible to _Fusarium_ infestation. Only the deoxynivalenol level, as determined in the current study, was correlated with _Fusarium_ spp. infestation. The study conducted by [PERSON] et al. [57] did not show any correlation between the _Fusarium_ head blight index and the DON level, but a correlation was found to exist with contamination by NIV.