Abstract
The effect of mineral fertilization (NPK), foliar fertilization with micronutrients (Cu, Zn and Mn) and the NanoGro biostimulant on the severity of leaf, spike, stem base and root diseases in winter spelt cv. Schwabenkorn was evaluated in a field-plot experiment. A mycological analysis was performed and the content of Fusarium mycotoxins in grain was determined. Mineral fertilization (NPK), foliar fertilization with micronutrients and the NanoGro biostimulant exerted varied effects on the severity of Septoria leaf blotch and Septoria glume blotch, they promoted the spread of brown rust (excluding the NPK + NanoGro treatment) and inhibited the spread of black head mold (excluding the NPK treatment), eyespot and Fusarium foot and root rot (excluding the NPK + Mn treatment). Fertilization had no influence on grain yield or the content of Fusarium mycotoxins in grain. The concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins FB1 + FB2 did not exceed the maximum permissible levels (except for DON in NPK + Cu + Zn + Mn and NPK + NanoGro treatments). Throughout the experiment, ergosterol (ERG) concentrations were highest in the grain of unfertilized spelt plants.
Highlights
Spelt (Triticum aestivum spp. spelta L.) is an ancient wheat species which is being increasingly cultivated around the world
Symptoms of Septoria leaf blotch were observed on spelt plants in the growing season of 2012, and the disease was significantly less severe in the following year
NPK + Mn and NPK + NanoGro fertilization treatments decreased the severity of Zymoseptoria tritici infections in 2012 and 2013, respectively
Summary
Spelt (Triticum aestivum spp. spelta L.) is an ancient wheat species which is being increasingly cultivated around the world. Spelt grain is widely used in the food processing industry on account of its high content of nutrients, including protein and high-quality gluten [1,2]. Spelt has lower environmental requirements than winter wheat, it is more resistant to adverse climatic conditions and utilizes soil nutrients more efficiently [3]. Powdery mildew is a dangerous disease of cereals around the world [10,11]. According to Cyrkler-Degulis and Bulińska-Radomska [3], winter spelt is characterized by relatively high resistance to Septoria tritici blotch, Septoria glume blotch, powdery mildew and brown rust, but it is less resistant to yellow rust. Contemporary wheat cultivars are susceptible to a new strain of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici fungus that has been spreading rapidly in Europe [13]
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