Biocontrol Treatments Research Articles

Field Displacement of Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Strains Through Repeated Biological Control Applications.

A popular pre-harvest strategy to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of corn involves field application of non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus. The basis of this biological control may involve multiple factors, but competitive displacement of aflatoxigenic strains by the biocontrol strains is a likely mechanism. Three biocontrol strains (NRRL 21882, 18543, and 30797) were applied annually, over a 4-year period, to the same 3.2-ha commercial corn field in the Mississippi Delta, where we monitored their post-release establishment, spread, and persistence. Within 2 months of the first biocontrol application, the percentage of soil-inhabiting aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains in some plots was reduced from 48 to 9% of the population. The frequency of aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains was also significantly reduced in the rest of field. After 4 years, neighboring plots that had never received a biocontrol treatment, and distanced from our treatment plots by at least 20 meters, had less than 20% aflatoxigenic isolates. This significant halo effect might be attributed to movement of soil through tillage operations, but the aflatoxigenicity shift could be detected in the untreated plots within 2 months of the initial applications, at a time when there was no tillage. The A. flavus populations that colonized the grain were also monitored and found to be less than 15% toxigenic in the fourth year for all treatments. Over all treatments and years, less than 2 ppb of aflatoxin was detected, which could be a consequence of the field-wide shift of the inherent A. flavus population to predominately non-aflatoxigenic strains. This study supports the efficacy of using non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains as pre-harvest biocontrol, and shows that most of its effectiveness occurs with the first application.

Design of a biodegradable carrier for the application of controller bacteria on air–water interfaces

The formulation of a biodegradable carrier which effectively concentrates microorganisms on air-water interfaces is proposed. This avoids the dispersion of bacteria into the bulk liquid phase and at the same time prevents their sedimentation. This formulation can be used in biocontrol and bioremediation treatments where the target is at the position of the air-water interface, as in the case of the treatment of rice diseases caused by Sclerotium oryzae and Rhizoctonia complex. The carrier is an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion which contains lecithin and chitosan in both phases at different proportions. In a stable formulation, bacteria that are adsorbed onto the surface of oil droplets are carried with them and flowed upward to the air-water interface, due to buoyancy forces. When using the biodegradable carrier, it is possible to recover at least 15-fold more bacteria from the air-water interface than in the case of using the aqueous formulation. The emulsion O/W is applied to the surface by dripping, resulting in a homogeneous two-dimensional film distribution. With this application device, the number of bacteria at the air-water interface is significantly increased. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hypovirulence in chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, in Slovakia

ABSTRACTThe recovery of the European chestnut from chestnut blight in Europe is attributed to hypovirulence, a viral disease that reduces the virulence of its host – Cryphonectria parasitica. Hypovirulence has been used in biocontrol programmes throughout Europe with the aim of not only treating individual chestnut blight cankers but causing the natural spread and establishment of viruses in C. parasitica populations. Almost 40 years after the first appearance of chestnut blight and more than 20 years after the first biocontrol treatment implementation in Slovakia the establishment and natural spread of hypovirulence were studied. The morphological characteristics of 179 chestnut blight cankers and 161 C. parasitica strains were evaluated for the presence of hypovirus from three chestnut cultivation sites in Slovakia. Nineteen cankers and isolates were considered hypovirulent based on visual assessment of their morphological characteristics. The hypovirus presence by RNA extraction was confirmed in 6 cankers/strains.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF AFLATOXIGENIC FUNGI ON PEANUT: FOR THE PRE-HARVEST APPROACH

This study was carried out to determine the efficacy of different applications of a biopesticide for reduction of aflatoxin contamination in peanut. The biopesticide, afla-guard, delivers a nontoxigenic Aspergillus flavus to the field where it competes with naturally occurring toxigenic fungus. Biocontrol treatments included: (ı) soil application during sowing, (ıı) multiple application during sowing and 40 days after planting, (ııı) foliar application at 60 days after planting (ıv) control (untreated plots). Biopesiticide was applied to peanut plots in 2015 and 2016 in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Peanuts were collected from control and treated plots at harvest-drying-pre-storage periods and analysed for aflatoxins. Aflatoxin concentrations were generally quite low in 2015, also the aflatoxin concentration in treated samples (from 0.04 to 0.71 μg/kg) was reduced by 97.38 to 99.82% compared with controls (from 21.84 to 27.12 μg/kg). In 2016, reductions were also noted for all biocontrol treatments (from 89.07 to 92.39%) compared with controls. In conjunction with the reductions in aflatoxin contamination, biocontrol treatments produced significant reductions with biopesticide in peanut. Therefore, it can be said that a biological control method is a promising approach for controlling aflatoxin.

Novel mixed fermentation of bio-control microorganisms treatment agent for suppressing kiwifruit bacterial canker disease associated with soil microflora alterations

Novel mixed fermentation of bio-control microorganisms treatment agent for suppressing kiwifruit bacterial canker disease associated with soil microflora alterations

Biological control of damping-off of tomato caused by Pythium aphanidermatum by using native antagonistic rhizobacteria isolated from Omani soil

The potential of antagonistic bacteria isolated from tomato rhizosphere soils of Oman in the control of damping-off disease of tomato was investigated. A total of 27 bacterial isolates were isolated from 18 soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of tomato from Al-Batinah South, Al-Sharqia North and Muscat Governorate. These bacterial isolates were tested in vitro for their antagonistic activity against Pythium aphanidermatum using a dual culture technique. Of the 27 bacterial isolates tested, four isolates designated D1/3, D1/8, D1/17 and D1/18 were effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum, by inducing an inhibition zone of 32.3, 10.3, 6.3 and 9.9 mm, respectively. Compatibility tests using a cross-streak assay on nutrient agar medium indicated that these four bacterial isolates were compatible with one another. The bacterial isolates were identified as Klebsiella oxytoca (D1/3), Exiguobacterium indicum (D1/8) and Bacillus cereus (D1/17 and D1/18), on the basis of the rRNA gene sequences. Among the isolates tested for in vitro plant growth promoting activity, D1/8 induced the maximum shoot length and seedling vigor. The potential of bacterial antagonists either individually or in combination in the control of damping-off disease of tomato was tested under greenhouse conditions. Among the biocontrol treatments, the combined application of D1/8 and D1/17 was the most effective, where damping-off incidence was reduced by 27% relative to the infected control. These bacterial antagonists appear to be potential candidates to be developed as bio-inoculants for the ecofriendly management of damping-off of tomato under desert farming ecosystem.

Nonviable biomass of biocontrol agent Papiliotrema flavescens OH 182.9 3C enhances growth of Fusarium graminearum and counteracts viable biomass reduction of Fusarium head blight

Microbially-based plant disease control products have achieved commercial market success, but the efficacy of biocontrol products is sometimes deemed inconsistent. Declines in product viability before or after application results in a mixture of non-viable and viable antagonist cells being present on infection courts. We hypothesized that these non-viable cells could provide a nutritive benefit to plant pathogen propagules and thereby reduce the efficacy and consistency of performance of a biocontrol product. We tested this hypothesis on the pathogen Fusarium graminearum, an important causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat, and a yeast antagonist Papiliotrema flavescens (formerly Cryptococcus flavescens) strain OH 182.9 3C. When F. graminearum was grown in a liquid basal salts medium without carbon or nitrogen but supplemented with increasing levels of non-viable cells of strain OH 182.9 3C, the amount of pathogen biomass produced increased (P ≤ 0.05) with each sequentially higher level of non-viable cell amendment tested. Total conidial germination of F. graminearum on membranes was initially greatest in the control and least when conidia were combined with live cells of antagonist OH 182.9 3C. Though the presence of dead cells initially resulted in reduced conidial germination, the treatment increased bipolar germination of conidia after 6 h compared to the control (89% and 45%, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05, FPLSD). Treatment with a combination of dead and live cells supported more bipolar germination than live cells alone (51% and 29%, respectively). After 12 h, dead cells had a similar stimulating effect on the branching of germ tubes and negated the reduction in branching seen when treating with live cells alone. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the presence of non-viable cells of P. flavescens OH 182.9 3C modified the ectotrophic growth of F. graminearum on wheat lemma tissues. In greenhouse experiments, live cells of P. flavescens tended to reduce FHB incidence, severity and the deoxynivalenol content of spring wheat grain compared to the control but treatment with live cells amended with dead cells increased all of these disease parameters compared to the live cells only treatment (P ≤ 0.05, FPLSD). Results indicate that non-viable antagonist cells present in a biocontrol cell treatment can reduce disease control efficacy or even cause the biocontrol treatment to support a net adverse effect on plant health.

Herbivore biocontrol and manual removal successfully reduce invasive macroalgae on coral reefs.

Invasive macroalgae pose a serious threat to coral reef biodiversity by monopolizing reef habitats, competing with native species, and directly overgrowing, and smothering reef corals. Several invasive macroalgae (Eucheuma clade E, Kappaphycus clade A and B, Gracilaria salicornia, and Acanthophora spicifera) are established within Kāne‘ohe Bay (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, USA), and reducing invasive macroalgae cover is a coral reef conservation and management priority. Invasive macroalgae control techniques, however, are limited and few successful large-scale applications exist. Therefore, a two-tiered invasive macroalgae control approach was designed, where first, divers manually remove invasive macroalgae (Eucheuma and Kappaphycus) aided by an underwater vacuum system (“The Super Sucker”). Second, hatchery-raised juvenile sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla), were outplanted to graze and control invasive macroalgae regrowth. To test the effectiveness of this approach in a natural reef ecosystem, four discrete patch reefs with high invasive macroalgae cover (15–26%) were selected, and macroalgae removal plus urchin biocontrol (treatment reefs, n = 2), or no treatment (control reefs, n = 2), was applied at the patch reef-scale. In applying the invasive macroalgae treatment, the control effort manually removed ∼19,000 kg of invasive macroalgae and ∼99,000 juvenile sea urchins were outplanted across to two patch reefs, totaling ∼24,000 m2 of reef area. Changes in benthic cover were monitored over 2 years (five sampling periods) before-and-after the treatment was applied. Over the study period, removal and biocontrol reduced invasive macroalgae cover by 85% at treatment reefs. Our results show manual removal in combination with hatchery raised urchin biocontrol to be an effective management approach in controlling invasive macroalgae at reef-wide spatial scales and temporal scales of months to years.

Tree size as a determinant of recovery of birch (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) and grey alder (Alnus incana) trees after cutting and inoculation with Chondrostereum purpureum

We investigated the ability of birch (Betula pendula Roth. and B. pubescens Ehrh.) and grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) trees of different sizes to recover after cutting and artificial infection with a common decay fungus, Chondrostereum purpureum (Pers. Ex Fr.) Pouzar. In birch, resistance to C. purpureum was initially highest among stumps of 13 cm diameter but by the end of the experiment almost all stumps were dead, whereas in grey alder mortality happened more slowly than in birch and was the same across the size range of stumps. After two growing seasons when almost all the original stumps were dead due to fungal infection, alder root suckers developed around small alder stumps, showing a high level of compensation compared to birch. These results indicate that birch and alder have different strategies for survival after biocontrol treatment.

Study on the effect of yeast in compost tea efficiency in controlling chocolate leaf spot disease in broad bean (Vicia faba)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of adding yeast to compost tea in the biocontrol activity of compost tea against chocolate leaf spot disease in broad bean as a proposed biocontrol treatment, in addition to effects on soil biota, yield, and growth parameters of broad bean. Faba bean was planted in plastic bags filled with 11 kg of non-sterilized clay soil. Foliar compost tea–yeast mixture was applied 40 days post-sowing and 1 day pre-inoculation with Botrytis fabae spore suspension. Soil drenching was done directly, before seeds sowing, at a rate of 100 ml/bag. Seed treatment was done for 24 h before seeding. The trial was designed in complete randomized block design with three triplicates for each treatment. Adding yeast to compost tea as seed soaking treatment significantly decreased the disease severity when integrated with foliar spray and soil drenching. Foliar and seed soaking treatments significantly increased pod number, seed weight, and population of soil microorganisms. Foliar treatment increased peroxidase enzyme content. Seed soaking treatment increased polyphenol oxidase enzyme level. Total phenol content increased with foliar spray, seed soaking, and soil drenching when compared with control. It can be concluded that adding of the yeast to compost tea in seed soaking treatment resulted into biocontrol of chocolate leaf spot disease of broad bean, increased soil microorganism population, pod number, seed weight, polyphenol oxidase enzyme, and total phenolic contents.

On-farm impact of egg parasitoid, Trichogramma spp. against lepidopteran pests in organic basmati rice

On farm impact of Trichogrammatids was studied against lepidopteran pests, i.e., yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) and leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) in organic basmati rice (var. Pusa 1121) over an area of 20 and 60 hectares during 2014 and 2015, respectively. Six augmentative releases of Trichogramma chilonis and T. japonicum each @ 1,00,000 parasitoids/ha were made starting from 30 days after transplanting (DAT) and was compared with untreated control. Based on the overall mean, the biocontrol treatment (1.74% DH) was significantly effective in reducing the dead heart incidence as compared to untreated control (4.52% DH). The reduction in dead hearts was 61.50 per cent in biocontrol over untreated control. The mean incidence of white ears was also significantly lower in biocontrol field (2.05%) as against untreated control (4.89%) resulting in a reduction of 58.08 per cent. Similarly, leaf folder damage in biocontrol (2.04% LFDL) resulted in 62.50 per cent reduction over untreated control (5.44% LFDL). Grain yield in biocontrol fields (29.81 q/ha) was 18.76 per cent more than the untreated control (25.10 q/ha). The increase in yield due to control of stem borers and leaf folder in biocontrol fields resulted in an additional benefit of INR 16332/- and INR 9818/- during 2014 and 2015, respectively. Conclusively, 6 releases of T. chilonis and T. japonicum each @ 1,00,000/ha resulted in lower incidence of rice insect pests and higher grain yield in organic basmati rice with an additional benefit over untreated control.

Reprint of “An integrated dual strategy to control Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto by the biocontrol agent Streptomyces sp. RC 87B under field conditions”

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by species within the Fusarium graminearum complex is a devastating disease that causes extensive yield and quality losses to wheat in humid and semi-humid regions of the world. The disease can cause not only yield losses but also grain contamination with mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). Several epidemics have occurred in Argentina, the last in 2012, with yield losses up to 70%. Control of the disease is partially achieved by chemical treatments, crop rotation, breeding for resistance and tillage practices. Biocontrol can be used as part of an integrated pest management. The objetives of this study were: 1- to evaluate the biological control effect of Streptomyces sp. RC 87B on FHB disease incidence, severity and DON accumulation and 2- to evaluate if Streptomyces sp. RC 87B reduces F. graminearum inoculum when applied to wheat stubble. Streptomyces sp. RC 87B was applied at wheat anthesis to determine effects on FHB disease parameters and over wheat stubble left after harvest to evaluate effects on the survival of F. graminearum. FHB incidence and severity were visually estimated and DON content was assessed by HPLC after harvest. On stubble, F. graminearum prevalence was monitored by using TaqMan PCR for 180days. A significant disease severity and DON reduction were observed with the biocontrol treatments during the field trials (29–39% and 69–85%, respectively), but no reduction on disease incidence was achieved. On wheat stubble, Streptomyces sp. 87B reduced F. graminearum inoculum after 45days (82%) and after 90days no inoculum was detected in the first of two trials. In a second trial, a significant reduction (46%) in F. graminearum inoculum was observed after 90days. The biocontrol strain Streptomyces sp. 87B showed high potential for contributing to the reduction of FHB on wheat at different times in the F. graminearum life cycle.

Secondary invasions of noxious weeds associated with control of invasive Tamarix are frequent, idiosyncratic and persistent

Control of invasive species within ecosystems may induce secondary invasions of non-target invaders replacing the first alien. We used four plant species listed as noxious by local authorities in riparian systems to discern whether 1) the severity of these secondary invasions was related to the control method applied to the first alien; and 2) which species that were secondary invaders persisted over time. In a collaborative study by 16 research institutions, we monitored plant species composition following control of non-native Tamarix trees along southwestern U.S. rivers using defoliation by an introduced biocontrol beetle, and three physical removal methods: mechanical using saws, heavy machinery, and burning in 244 treated and 79 untreated sites across six U.S. states. Physical removal favored secondary invasions immediately after Tamarix removal (0–3yrs.), while in the biocontrol treatment, secondary invasions manifested later (>5yrs.). Within this general trend, the response of weeds to control was idiosyncratic; dependent on treatment type and invader. Two annual tumbleweeds that only reproduce by seed (Bassia scoparia and Salsola tragus) peaked immediately after physical Tamarix removal and persisted over time, even after herbicide application. Acroptilon repens, a perennial forb that vigorously reproduces by rhizomes, and Bromus tectorum, a very frequent annual grass before removal that only reproduces by seed, were most successful at biocontrol sites, and progressively spread as the canopy layer opened. These results demonstrate that strategies to control Tamarix affect secondary invasions differently among species and that time since disturbance is an important, generally overlooked, factor affecting response.

The specification of the growing temperature on PDA of chestnut blight pathogen (Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr) to optimize timing for biocontrol treatments by hypovirulent strains

The most destructive pathogen for the European chestnut trees is the blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr. The biological control is the only effective possibility to apply in situ biocontrol by hypovirulent strains against compatible virulent (wild) fungus strains. The infested bark tissues can inoculate by drilling holes surrounding and putting into agar discs interwoven by the appropriate vegetative compatible group (VCG) hypovirulent fungus strains. This latest can pass those virus-like particles (VLPs) by parasexual contact (called hypha-anastomosis)which responsible to hypovirulence. A laboratory experiment was made to find the optimal times to carry out the treatments. The intensity of growth of fungal colonies were analysed on different temperatures. The growth of the fungus on low temperature were rather slow,according to our expectations. On higher temperature the colony progress were the same as on the optimal 20–25 °C. These observations and the environment determine the date of the field applications under Hungarian weather conditions. It means the optimal treatment periods can be May or end of September to middle October in Hungary.

Effects of biocontrol bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LY-1 culture broth on quality attributes and storability of harvested litchi fruit

Effects of postharvest biocontrol treatment with antagonistic bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LY-1 on quality attributes and storability of harvested litchi fruit were investigated. “Wuye” litchi fruit were immersed in 1.0×108 colony-forming units (CFU) mL−1B. amyloliquefaciens LY-1 culture broth (BLCB) or sterile water (control) for 5min, respectively. Litchi fruit were then air-dried and stored at 25±1°C and 85%–90% relative humidity. Comparing to control litchi fruit, the BLCB-treated litchi fruit exhibited lower pericarp browning index, and percentages of fruit decay and weight loss. Moreover, the BLCB-treated litchi fruit maintained higher contents of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total soluble sugars and vitamin C in pulp, as well as higher activities of disease resistance-related enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chitinase, and β-1, 3-glucandase) and higher content of natural disease-resistive material like lignin in pericarp. Thus, it can be concluded that the 1.0×108 CFUmL−1 BLCB treatment delayed the progress of pericarp browning, lowered fruit decay and weight loss, and maintained higher quality of harvested “Wuye” litchi fruit during storage, which might suggest that the BLCB treatment was a promising and effective biological control method for prolonging the shelf-life of harvested litchi fruit.

Survival of Salmonella Typhimurium on soybean sprouts following treatments with gaseous chlorine dioxide and biocontrol Pseudomonas bacteria.

Control of Salmonella Typhimurium on sprouts is crucial for food and consumer safety. In this study, natural microflora on soybean seed was assessed and effects of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and biocontrol Pseudomonas on the survival of S. Typhimurium on soybean sprouts were evaluated. Sprouts were dip-inoculated with S. Typhimurium prior to the application of the biocontrol (P. chlororaphis and P. fluorescens). After inoculation with S. Typhimurium, the sprouts were treated with ClO2 at 0.4 mg/L for 1 h (90% R.H., 13°C). Pseudomonas strains and Salmonella were recovered on Pseudomonas Agar F (PAF) and xylose lysine tergitol-4 (XLT-4) media, respectively. Pseudomonas strains reduced Salmonella by <1 log colony forming units (CFU)/g of sprouts, whereas S. Typhimurium on soybean sprouts was reduced from 2.55 to 5.35 logs CFU/g by ClO2. Gaseous ClO2 treatment reduced S. Typhimurium by 3.90 (0 h), 4.47 (24 h), and 3.61 log CFU/g (168 h). It was concluded that ClO2 and biocontrol treatment can enhance sprout safety.

Applications of volatile compounds acquired from Muscodor heveae against white root rot disease in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.) and relevant allelopathy effects

The bioactive compounds of the volatile metabolite-producing endophytic fungus, Muscodor heveae, were examined by the process of biofumigation for the purposes of controlling white root rot disease in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of M. heveae possess antimicrobial activity against Rigidoporus microporus in vitro with 100 % growth inhibition. The synthetic volatile compounds test confirmed that the major component, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, and the minor compounds, 3-methylbutyl acetate and 2-methylpropanoic acid, inhibited root and shoot growth in the tested plants 3-methylbutan-1-ol showed ED50 value and MIQ value on seed germination of ruzi grass, Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 and tomato at 10, 5 and 5 μL−1 airspace, respectively. In vivo tests were carried out under greenhouse conditions using M. heveae inoculum fumigated soil that had been inoculated with R. microporus inoculum. After which, all seven treatments were compared. Significant differences were observed with a disease score at 150 d after treatment. Biofumigation by M. heveae showed great suppression of the disease. Biocontrol treatments; RMH40 (40 g kg−1M. heveae inoculum) and RMH80 (80 g kg−1M. heveae inoculum) were not found to be significantly different when compared with fungicide treatment (RT) and the non-infected control, but results were found to be significantly different from R. microporus infested (R) treatment. RMH40 and RMH80 revealed a low disease scores with a high survival rate of rubber tree seedling at 100 %, while R treatment showed the highest disease score of 4.8 ± 0.5 with a survival rate of rubber tree seedling at 25 %. The infected roots, appearing as a white colour. We have concluded that the bioactive VOCs of M. heveae would be an alternative method for the control of white root rot disease in rubber trees.

Integration of biological control and transgenic insect protection for mitigation of mycotoxins in corn

Biological control is known to be effective in reducing aflatoxin contamination of corn, and some transgenic corn hybrids incur reduced damage from corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) than comparable non-Bt hybrids. We conducted seven field trials over two years to test the hypothesis that transgenic insect protection and biological control could be integrated to prevent mycotoxin contamination of corn. Corn hybrid N78N3111, expressing the highest degree of transgenic insect protection, was nearly 100 percent free from corn earworm damage and generally had less than half as much contamination from fumonisin compared to N78NGT, a near isogenic corn hybrid without insect protection. This insect protection, however, did not significantly prevent aflatoxin contamination. Soil application of non-aflatoxigenic biocontrol strains of Aspergillus flavus significantly reduced aflatoxin concentrations in corn. Biocontrol strain 21882 of A. flavus was especially effective and reduced aflatoxin contamination by about 90 percent over the seven field trials. There was no significant interaction between the insect protection and biocontrol treatments. Although no synergies were detected, the reduction of mycotoxins by both strategies supports application of both strategies in tandem. Economic factors external to the cost of the technologies will be a major determinant if the mycotoxin mitigation attained by use of these technologies will have a positive economic benefit.

An integrated dual strategy to control Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto by the biocontrol agent Streptomyces sp. RC 87B under field conditions

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by species within the Fusarium graminearum complex is a devastating disease that causes extensive yield and quality losses to wheat in humid and semi-humid regions of the world. The disease can cause not only yield losses but also grain contamination with mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). Several epidemics have occurred in Argentina, the last in 2012, with yield losses up to 70%. Control of the disease is partially achieved by chemical treatments, crop rotation, breeding for resistance and tillage practices. Biocontrol can be used as part of an integrated pest management. The objetives of this study were: 1- to evaluate the biological control effect of Streptomyces sp. RC 87B on FHB disease incidence, severity and DON accumulation and 2- to evaluate if Streptomyces sp. RC 87B reduces F. graminearum inoculum when applied to wheat stubble. Streptomyces sp. RC 87B was applied at wheat anthesis to determine effects on FHB disease parameters and over wheat stubble left after harvest to evaluate effects on the survival of F. graminearum. FHB incidence and severity were visually estimated and DON content was assessed by HPLC after harvest. On stubble, F. graminearum prevalence was monitored by using TaqMan PCR for 180days. A significant disease severity and DON reduction were observed with the biocontrol treatments during the field trials (29–39% and 69–85%, respectively), but no reduction on disease incidence was achieved. On wheat stubble, Streptomyces sp. 87B reduced F. graminearum inoculum after 45days (82%) and after 90days no inoculum was detected in the first of two trials. In a second trial, a significant reduction (46%) in F. graminearum inoculum was observed after 90days. The biocontrol strain Streptomyces sp. 87B showed high potential for contributing to the reduction of FHB on wheat at different times in the F. graminearum life cycle.

Safe food and feed through an integrated toolbox for mycotoxin management: the MyToolBox approach

There is a pressing need to mobilise the wealth of knowledge from the international mycotoxin research conductedover the past 25-30 years, and to perform cutting-edge research where knowledge gaps still exist. This knowledgeneeds to be integrated into affordable and practical tools for farmers and food processors along the chain inorder to reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination of crops, feed and food. This is the mission of MyToolBox – a four-year project which has received funding from the European Commission. It mobilises a multi-actorpartnership (academia, farmers, technology small and medium sized enterprises, food industry and policystakeholders) to develop novel interventions aimed at achieving a significant reduction in crop losses due tomycotoxin contamination. Besides a field-to-fork approach, MyToolBox also considers safe use options ofcontaminated batches, such as the efficient production of biofuels. Compared to previous efforts of mycotoxin reduction strategies, the distinguishing feature of MyToolBox is to provide the recommended measures to theend users along the food and feed chain in a web-based MyToolBox platform (e-toolbox). The project focuseson small grain cereals, maize, peanuts and dried figs, applicable to agricultural conditions in the EU and China. Crop losses using existing practices are being compared with crop losses after novel pre-harvest interventionsincluding investigation of genetic resistance to fungal infection, cultural control (e.g. minimum tillage or cropdebris treatment), the use of novel biopesticides suitable for organic farming, competitive biocontrol treatment and development of novel modelling approaches to predict mycotoxin contamination. Research into post-harvestmeasures includes real-time monitoring during storage, innovative sorting of crops using vision-technology, novelmilling technology and studying the effects of baking on mycotoxins at an industrial scale.