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Nationally the non-toxin producing Microdochium species (M. nivale and M. majus) were responsible for the majority of symptoms; with 93% of crops and 35% of ears within a crop infected by these pathogens. High levels of contamination by Microdochium species will cause reductions in grain quality and yield and affect seed germination.

Of the two deoxynivalenol producing species, Fusarium graminearum was the predominant species with 45% of crops and 4% of ears within a crop infected by F. graminearum and there is therefore a very high risk of mycotoxin contamination. The level of F. graminearum present in crops in 2012 is far greater than the previous high seen in 2008 where 26% of crops and 3% of ears within a crop were infected by F. graminearum.

However, the level of F. graminearum is variable across the different regions indicating that the risk from mycotoxin contamination will also vary. Crops grown in the East Midlands are at the highest risk of mycotoxin contamination; with F. graminearum infection detected in 84% of crops and 8% of ears within an infected crop. However, with levels of infection greater than 30% of crops the South east, West Midlands, South west, East and Yorkshire and Humberside are also indicated as at high risk. Crops in the North east and North west are at low risk.

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