This is an applied research project that will address the emerging threat of fusarium head blight and mycotoxin accumulation in hemp grown for human food and animal feed

The University of Wisconsin-Madison received a $325,000 Project Grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Crop Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.329), effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027. This applied research initiative addresses the emerging threat of Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin accumulation in hemp cultivated for human food and animal feed by developing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. The project will characterize Fusarium prevalence and mycotoxin relationships in hemp grain and seed, identify genetic resistance sources to Fusarium graminearum, evaluate seed treatments and storage conditions to mitigate contamination and deoxynivalenol (DON) production, and implement an outreach program to educate hemp farmers, extension services, and industry stakeholders on fusarium and mycotoxin management. Deliverables leverage an established regional hemp working group to identify optimal cultivars and grain treatments that ensure profitability and safety in the emerging hemp industry.

The project includes a sub-award to the University of Illinois, dated February 18, 2026, under which the University of Illinois Plant Clinic will conduct Fusarium testing and identification services on approximately 200 hemp seed samples. The sub-awardee will perform fungal isolation, morphological identification, DNA extraction, and genetic sequencing of Fusarium isolates using targeted gene fragments (tef1 and rpb2), generating approximately 800 sequences from 400 DNA samples to support the characterization and identification objectives of the primary award.

There is limited knowledge of practical and effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in hemp for fusarium and mycotoxin control. The primary goal of this project is to find tenable IPM solutions that growers and seed suppliers can use to ensure profitability and safety in the emerging hemp industry. This is in alignment with the national IPM roadmap, the USDA strategic plan and the north central IPM center's priorities. To accomplish our goal, we will build off the efforts of an established and productive regional hemp working group to identify the best cultivars, storage conditions, and grain treatments to reduce fusarium contamination in hemp grain. Specifically our objectives are to: 1) characterize the prevalence of fusarium and its relationship to mycotoxin accumulation in hemp grain and seed, 2) identify sources of hemp genetic resistance to f. Graminearum, 3) evaluate the efficacy of seed treatments and the role of temperature and humidity on f. Graminearum growth and deoxynivalenol (DON) production during grain storage, and 4) design and implement an outreach program to educate hemp farmers, agricultural extension services, and industry stakeholders about the importance of fusarium and mycotoxin management. Developing and deploying IPM strategies to provide safe products for human and animal consumption will be a critical factor in the success of the emerging hemp grain industry.