Fusarium Head Blight Pathogens Research Articles

Characterization of Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum isolates from gramineous weeds in the proximity of rice fields in Korea

AbstractFusarium graminearum species complexes (FGSCs), such as Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum, are important pathogens that cause Fusarium head blight (FHB) in several cereal crops worldwide. In this study, we collected 342 gramineous weed samples in the proximity of rice fields from May to June 2018 in Korea. Among the 500 Fusarium isolates from the weed samples, 13 species of Fusarium were identified, and F. asiaticum (41.2%), F. avenaceum (18.0%), F. acuminatum (16.4%) and F. graminearum (14.8%) were the most frequently isolated. The trichothecene genotype analysis showed that 206 F. asiaticum strains consisted of the nivalenol (NIV) genotype (n = 195, 94.7%) and 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON) genotype (n = 11, 5.3%), whereas 74 F. graminearum strains consisted of the 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (15ADON) genotype (n = 58, 78.4%) and 3ADON genotype (n = 16, 21.6%). Geographical differences were observed in the FGSC and trichothecene genotype compositions, which appeared host‐dependent between the southern provinces and mid‐eastern provinces. The aggressiveness assessment of FHB showed that the 3ADON chemotype was most aggressive followed by the 15ADON and NIV chemotypes in wheat, while the NIV chemotype was most aggressive followed by the 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes in rice. The F. asiaticum strains grew slowly and produced fewer conidia and perithecia than the F. graminearum strains, regardless of their chemotypes. The results of this study suggest that F. asiaticum with the NIV chemotype has a host preference for rice, and FHB‐causing pathogens can be harboured in gramineous weeds, which play a role in the dispersal of FHB pathogens to rice and other cereal crops.

Evaluation of Methods for Measuring Fusarium-Damaged Kernels of Wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most economically destructive diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), causing substantial yield and quality loss worldwide. Fusarium graminearum is the predominant causal pathogen of FHB in the U.S., and produces deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin that accumulates in the grain throughout infection. FHB results in kernel damage, a visual symptom that is quantified by a human observer enumerating or estimating the percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) in a sample of grain. To date, FDK estimation is the most efficient and accurate method of predicting DON content without measuring presence in a laboratory. For this experiment, 1266 entries collectively representing elite varieties and SunGrains advanced breeding lines encompassing four inoculated FHB nurseries were represented in the analysis. All plots were subjected to a manual FDK count, both exact and estimated, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analysis, DON laboratory analysis, and digital imaging seed phenotyping using the Vibe QM3 instrument developed by Vibe imaging analytics. Among the FDK analytical platforms used to establish percentage FDK within grain samples, Vibe QM3 showed the strongest prediction capabilities of DON content in experimental samples, R2 = 0.63, and higher yet when deployed as FDK GEBVs, R2 = 0.76. Additionally, Vibe QM3 was shown to detect a significant SNP association at locus S3B_9439629 within major FHB resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) Fhb1. Visual estimates of FDK showed higher prediction capabilities of DON content in grain subsamples than previously expected when deployed as genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) (R2 = 0.71), and the highest accuracy in genomic prediction, followed by Vibe QM3 digital imaging, with average Pearson’s correlations of r = 0.594 and r = 0.588 between observed and predicted values, respectively. These results demonstrate that seed phenotyping using traditional or automated platforms to determine FDK boast various throughput and efficacy that must be weighed appropriately when determining application in breeding programs to screen for and develop resistance to FHB and DON accumulation in wheat germplasms.

Quantitative multiplexed proteomics analysis reveals reshaping of the lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylome in Fusarium graminearum by tebuconazole

BackgroundsLysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib) is a newly discovered posttranslational modification (PTM) and has been identified in several prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Fusarium graminearum, a major pathogen of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereal crops, can cause considerable yield loss and produce various mycotoxins that threaten human health. The application of chemical fungicides such as tebuconazole (TEC) remains the major method to control this pathogen. However, the distribution of Khib in F. graminearum and whether Khib is remodified in response to fungicide stress remain unknown.ResultsHere, we carried out a proteome-wide analysis of Khib in F. graminearum, identifying the reshaping of the lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylome by tebuconazole, using the most recently developed high-resolution LC–MS/MS technique in combination with high-specific affinity enrichment. Specifically, 3501 Khib sites on 1049 proteins were identified, and 1083 Khib sites on 556 modified proteins normalized to the total protein content were changed significantly after TEC treatment. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Khib proteins are involved in a wide range of biological processes and may be involved in virulence and deoxynivalenol (DON) production, as well as sterol biosynthesis, in F. graminearum.ConclusionsHere, we provided a wealth of resources for further study of the roles of Khib in the fungicide resistance of F. graminearum. The results enhanced our understanding of this PTM in filamentous ascomycete fungi and provided insight into the remodification of Khib sites during azole fungicide challenge in F. graminearum.

Endophytic Fungi as a Promising Biocontrol Agent to Protect Wheat from Fusarium graminearum Head Blight.

The search for beneficial endophytes that can be part of a constructed microbial community has increased in recent years. We characterized three endophytic fungi previously isolated from wheat for their invitro and in planta antagonism toward the Fusarium head blight pathogen, Fusarium graminearum. The endophytes were phylogenetically characterized and shown to be Alternaria destruens, Fusarium commune, and Fusarium oxysporum. Individual fungal endophytes significantly increased seed weight and lowered the accumulation of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol compared with F. graminearum-infected wheat heads without endophyte pretreatment. Investigation into the mechanism of competition invitro showed that endophytes competitively excluded F. graminearum by preemptive colonization and possible inhibition over a distance. Investigations on the use of these endophytes in the field are in progress. Identification of these three endophytes highlights a common quandary in searching for beneficial microbes to use in agriculture: species definitions often do not separate individual isolates' lifestyles. A greater understanding of the risks in using intraspecies variants for biocontrol is needed and should be examined in the context of the ecology of the individuals being investigated.

The relationship between Fusarium head blight traits, thousand-kernel weight, and yield in winter wheat

Factors influencing Fusarium head blight (FHB) occurrence and yield losses in winter wheat have extensively been studied through the years; however, reports on the relationship between FHB traits and yield are conflicting. In addition, studies neglected the relationship between FHB traits and thousand-kernel weight (TKW). This study evaluated the variability in the relationship between FHB traits, TKW, and yield under field conditions, using 40 commercial winter wheat cultivars differing in resistance/susceptibility to FHB. In general, the FHB index had greater relation to yield, while Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) was more related to TKW. The relationship between yield, TKW, FHB index, and FDK was also determined by resistance/susceptibility of winter wheat cultivars. Fusarium-damaged kernels influenced yield more in moderately resistant (R2 = 43 %) than in susceptible/moderately susceptible cultivars (R2 = 27 %). The influence of the FHB index on TKW was weak (R2 = 9 %) in susceptible/moderately susceptible cultivars and in moderately resistant ones (R2 = 1 %). The potential to predict TKW from yield under pathogen pressure was limited due to the moderate-to-positive correlation between yield and TKW (r = 0.349, p < 0.001). This study provides insights into factors that influence TKW under FHB pathogen pressure and gives direction to more efficient and reliable investigations on grain resistance toward FHB.

In vitro variation in pathogenicity of Fusarium species causing head blight in relation to their isolation from barley head

Abstract Till now, no published study is available on the variation in pathogenicity of Fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogens in relation to their isolation origin in barley head. To end this, two barley cultivars of contrasting quantitative resistance were artificially infected by four FHB species under field conditions over two consecutive growing seasons. Then, pathogenicity tests were conducted under in vitro conditions on single-spore cultures originated from both kernels and glumes in the heads. Different pathogenicity was detected among Fusarium species originated from both kernels and glumes, indicating that the same isolate from glumes and kernels differs in pathogenicity on leaves/seedlings. Isolates of Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium verticillioides originated from infected kernels had shorter latent periods and higher area under disease progress curves compared to isolates originated from glumes, and the reverse was observed for the Fusarium equiseti isolate. In the case of Fusarium solani, isolates originated from kernels or from glumes were equally pathogenic. Primarily findings in this first in-depth study have implications for breeding programs relied principally on actual quantification of pathogenicity in Fusarium species present in a given environment. The sampling of fungi should take into account the presence of Fusarium species of interest on kernels or glumes.

Screening for wheat resistance and pathogenicity of Fusarium head blight species using an in vitro detached head test

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major disease on wheat crop leading to significant yield losses and poor quality of infected grains worldwide. From a breeder’s point of view, a simple and reliable test for assessing this disease would enhance our capacity in identifying wheat resistance sources and highly pathogenic isolates. To achieve this objective, a test involving the inoculation of a detached head (DHT) maintained in vitro was used to determine the reaction of six durum and bread wheat cultivars to disease and pathogenicity of four Fusarium species. The estimation of disease incidence and disease severity detected using spray and point inoculation on detached wheat heads, respectively, enabled discrimination among wheat cultivars differing in their susceptibility to the pathogen and 16 FHB isolates of contrasting pathogenicity. Significant correlations were found between in vitro DHT values in seedlings and adult plants, highlighting that this testing procedure was reliable. The established assay using in vitro DHT in this first in-depth report enables a simple, fast and reliable screening of the susceptibility of durum and bread wheat to FHB pathogens and pathogenicity of diverse Fusarium species and should be useful for many types of studies on this disease.

Simultaneous quantitation of 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes of DON-producing Fusarium species in Chinese wheat based on duplex droplet digital PCR assay

Pathogens within Fusarium species are the primary agents of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat, which bring about yield reduction and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination and are of great concern worldwide. DON-producing Fusarium species can be classified into 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15ADON) chemotypes according to the trichothecene metabolites they produce. The detection of these two chemotypes of pathogens is paramount to the successful implementation of disease management strategies and pathogen-related DON forecasting models. In this study, a duplex droplet digital PCR (duplex ddPCR) assay was developed that allowed for the simultaneous quantitation of 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes of DON-producing Fusarium species. The assay specificity was tested against 30 isolates of target Fusarium species and several non-target Fusarium species that are frequently isolated from wheat in China. Analyzing 90 wheat samples collected from the North China plain and Yangtze River plain demonstrated that the duplex ddPCR assay coupled with magnetic bead-based DNA extraction was competent for investigating composition of 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes in Chinese wheat. This assay will be useful for monitoring the epidemic and geographic distribution of 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes of FHB pathogens, which will help with the disease control and DON management.

Transcriptional Responses of Fusarium graminearum Interacted with Soybean to Cause Root Rot.

Fusarium graminearum is the most devastating pathogen of Fusarium head blight of cereals, stalk and ear of maize, and it has recently become a potential threat for soybean as maize-soybean strip relay intercropping is widely practiced in China. To elucidate the pathogenesis mechanism of F. graminearum on intercropped soybean which causes root rot, transcriptional profiling of F. graminearum at 12, 24, and 48 h post-inoculation (hpi) on soybean hypocotyl tissues was conducted. In total, 2313 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of F. graminearum were annotated by both KEGG pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. Among them, 128 DEGs were commonly expressed at three inoculation time points while the maximum DEGs were induced at 24 hpi. In addition, DEGs were also rich in carbon metabolism, ribosome and peroxisome pathways which might contribute to carbon source utilization, sexual reproduction, virulence and survival of F. graminearum when infected on soybean. Hence, this study will provide some basis for the deep understanding the pathogenesis mechanism of F. graminearum on different hosts and its effective control in maize-soybean strip relay intercropping systems.

UAV-Based Thermal, RGB Imaging and Gene Expression Analysis Allowed Detection of Fusarium Head Blight and Gave New Insights Into the Physiological Responses to the Disease in Durum Wheat.

Wheat is one of the world’s most economically important cereal crop, grown on 220 million hectares. Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease is considered a major threat to durum (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (Desfontaines) Husnache) and bread wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars and is mainly managed by the application of fungicides at anthesis. However, fungicides are applied when FHB symptoms are clearly visible and the spikes are almost entirely bleached (% of diseased spikelets > 80%), by when it is too late to control FHB disease. For this reason, farmers often react by performing repeated fungicide treatments that, however, due to the advanced state of the infection, cause a waste of money and pose significant risks to the environment and non-target organisms. In the present study, we used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based thermal infrared (TIR) and red-green-blue (RGB) imaging for FHB detection in T. turgidum (cv. Marco Aurelio) under natural field conditions. TIR and RGB data coupled with ground-based measurements such as spike’s temperature, photosynthetic efficiency and molecular identification of FHB pathogens, detected FHB at anthesis half-way (Zadoks stage 65, ZS 65), when the percentage (%) of diseased spikelets ranged between 20% and 60%. Moreover, in greenhouse experiments the transcripts of the key genes involved in stomatal closure were mostly up-regulated in F. graminearum-inoculated plants, demonstrating that the physiological mechanism behind the spike’s temperature increase and photosynthetic efficiency decrease could be attributed to the closure of the guard cells in response to F. graminearum. In addition, preliminary analysis revealed that there is differential regulation of genes between drought-stressed and F. graminearum-inoculated plants, suggesting that there might be a possibility to discriminate between water stress and FHB infection. This study shows the potential of UAV-based TIR and RGB imaging for field phenotyping of wheat and other cereal crop species in response to environmental stresses. This is anticipated to have enormous promise for the detection of FHB disease and tremendous implications for optimizing the application of fungicides, since global food crop demand is to be met with minimal environmental impacts.

Identification of Fusarium Species Responsible to Cause Wheat Head Blight in Southwestern Ethiopia

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by several Fusarium species is a dangerous disease of wheat and small cereals particularly in humid and sub-humid areas throughout the world. Losses due to FHB disease includes both grain yield and quality (that affect human and animal health). This investigation was aimed to identify FHB pathogens that cause blighted spikes in wheat across southwestern Ethiopia. A total of 269 single conidial isolates of Fusarium spp. were recovered from 52 FHB samples collected across southwestern Ethiopia. Based on their colony, macroscopic and microscopic features, all the isolates were identified into 9 species within the genus Fusarium. Among them, F. graminearum (29.39%) and F. culmorum (26.41%) were the dominant species followed by F. avenaceum (10.4%), F. poae (7.4%), F. ussurianum (6.7%), F. semitectum (6.3%), F. lateritium (6.0%), F. sambucinum (6.0%) and F. heterosporum (1.9%) in southwestern Ethiopia. The pathogenicity test revealed that all the 9 identified Fusarium species were caused typical FHB symptoms on spikes of a susceptible Danda’a wheat variety. Based on their AUDPC and spikelet infection severity, F. avenaceum, F. poae, F. lateritium, F. culmorum, F. sambucinum, F. heterosporum, and F. graminearum were more aggressive ones that produced higher AUDPC ranging from 546.8 to 1067.2 and higher spikelet infection severity ranging from 57.8% to 100%.

Species and Trichothecene Genotype of Pathogens Causing Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat in Nebraska, U.S.A.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an economically important disease caused by several Fusarium species affecting wheat and other small grain cereals. In recent years, reports of shifts in populations of FHB pathogens around the world have shown that these populations are dynamic and change continuously, often resulting in increased yield losses or changes in the mycotoxins produced in the grain, which highlights the need for increased vigilance. The objective of this research was to identify the species and trichothecene genotypes of FHB pathogens in Nebraska in order to monitor their populations and the major toxigenic risks in the state. A total of 74 single-spore Fusarium isolates were obtained from 42 FHB-symptomatic wheat spikes collected from Nebraska fields during the growing seasons in 2015 to 2018. Most of the isolates were identified as F. graminearum (n = 67) based on translation elongation factor 1α (TEF1), trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase (TRI101), and reductase (RED) sequences. Additional species included F. boothii (n = 3), F. poae (n = 2), F. acuminatum (n = 1), and one isolate was an F. graminearum × F. boothii interspecific hybrid. All F. graminearum and F. boothii isolates had the 15-ADON trichothecene genotype. This study shows that F. graminearum is not the only pathogen causing FHB in Nebraska and helps expand knowledge on the worldwide distribution of F. boothii. The information obtained from this survey will be useful in developing effective FHB management strategies in Nebraska, because different pathogen populations can cause varying levels of disease intensity and can be selectively sensitive to management tactics.

Bacteria Associated with Winter Wheat Degrade Fusarium Mycotoxins and Triazole Fungicide Residues

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is the most dangerous spike disease of wheat, and triazole fungicides are generally recommended for FHB control. Bacteria isolates obtained from wheat grain were identified as members of the genus Sphingomonas based on 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The degradation of propiconazole and trichothecenes was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Two field experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the biological treatment. All of the tested Sphingomonas isolates produced surfactin. Moreover, all strains were effective in degrading propiconazole and exhibited inhibitory effects on pathogens that cause FHB in wheat. Sphingomonas isolate S11 was selected for the field experiment because it inhibited the development of F. culmorum colonies in vitro by 48.80%, and degraded propiconazole in 15.13% after 48 h. The application of Sphingomonas S11 suspension during the growing season of winter wheat decreased the deoxynivalenol (DON) content of grain inoculated with F. culmorum more than 22-fold. Sphingomonas sp. strain S11 applied after fungicides also decreased the contamination of grain with fungi of the genus Fusarium and their mycotoxins. The analyzed bacteria can be potentially used to protect wheat against FHB pathogens, increase yields and improve grain quality by eliminating dangerous mycotoxins and propiconazole residues.

Five‐year survey uncovers extensive diversity and temporal fluctuations among fusarium head blight pathogens of wheat and barley in Brazil

AbstractWe conducted a five‐year survey (2011–2015) of barley and wheat fields in Paraná state, Brazil, obtaining 754 Fusarium isolates from spikes with fusarium head blight (FHB)‐symptoms. Multilocus genotyping and TEF‐1α gene sequence analyses confirmed the dominance of the F. graminearum species complex (FGSC, 75.7%), but F. poae (11.5%), as well as F. avenaceum and related members of the F. tricinctum species complex (FTSC, 8.1%) appeared as substantial contributors to FHB. Within the FGSC, F. graminearum of the 15‐ADON genotype was dominant (63%), followed by F. meridionale of the NIV genotype (23.1%), F. cortaderiae of the NIV (7%) or 3‐ADON (2.6%) genotypes, and F. austroamericanum (3.8%) of the 3‐ADON genotype. Substantial variation in pathogen composition was observed across years, with F. poae and F. meridionale frequencies significantly elevated in some years. Most F. poae strains produced DAS, diANIV, and butenolide, but not neosolaniol, T‐2, or HT‐2. All FTSC species produced moniliformin. Enniatin production was widespread among FTSC species, with the single F. acuminatum strain found to be the strongest producer of enniatins. Our findings confirm FGSC as a major contributor to FHB and expand considerably our knowledge of the presence, frequency, and conditions under which other pathogens may emerge, altering the spectrum of toxins that may accumulate in grain.

The ADP-ribosylation factor-like small GTPase FgArl1 participates in growth, pathogenicity and DON production in Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum is the main pathogen of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat and related species, which causes serious production decreases and economic losses and produces toxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON), which endangers the health of humans and livestock. Vesicle transport is a basic physiological process required for cell survival in eukaryotes. Many regulators of vesicle transport are reported to be involved in the pathogenicity of fungi. In yeast and mammalian cells, the ADP-ribosylation factor-like small GTPase Arl1 and its orthologs are involved in regulating vesicular trafficking, cytoskeletal reorganization and other significant biological processes. However, the role of Arl1 in F. graminearum is not well understood. In this study, we characterized the Arl1-homologous protein FgArl1 in F. graminearum and showed that FgArl1 is located in the trans-Golgi apparatus. The deletion of FgARL1 resulted in a significant decrease in vegetative growth and pathogenicity. Further analyses of the ΔFgarl1 mutant revealed defects in the production of DON. Taken together, these results indicate that FgArl1 is important in the development and pathogenicity of F. graminearum.

Baseline sensitivity and control efficacy of epoxiconazole against Fusarium graminearum in Henan Province, China

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) is one of the most destructive wheat diseases worldwide. F. graminearum is the dominant pathogen of FHB in Henan Province. Epoxiconazole is a demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide, and is the main fungicide for controlling FHB in China. In this study, 118 F. graminearum isolates were collected from different regions of Henan Province in 2016 and 2017. The sensitivity of these F. graminearum isolates to epoxiconazole was determined by the method of mycelial growth inhibition. The results showed that the EC50 values range of epoxiconazole to the tested F. graminearum isolates was 0.0196 to 0.5708 μg ml−1, and the mean EC50 value was 0.2178 ± 0.1178 μg ml−1 (mean ± SD). The sensitivity frequency distribution of these F. graminearum isolates to epoxiconazole was a continuous single peak curve, and no isolates resistant to epoxiconazole were found in Henan Province, China. The field control efficacy of epoxiconazole against F. graminearum was evaluated and the results showed that epoxiconazole had a significantly higher control efficacy on FHB, compared to the control fungicide carbendazim. The thousand grain weight of all the fungicide treatments was significantly higher than water control (without fungicide). This study showed that the DMI fungicide epoxiconazole has high activity and field control efficacy on F. graminearum, and can effectively control the prevalence of FHB.

Diversity in the population of Fusarium graminearum isolated from wheat and corn in Alberta, Canada

A survey was conducted in southern Alberta, Canada, to collect Fusarium stalk rot and Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease samples from corn and wheat fields, respectively, with an aim to understand the diversity in the population of Fusarium graminearum. From 77 wheat and 80 corn samples, 79 isolates of F. graminearum were obtained. These 79 isolates were evaluated for their growth rate, sporulation ability, pathogenicity and trichothecene genotype. Eighty-two percent of the isolates were recovered from corn, which suggests corn residue may be better suited than wheat for perpetuating the FHB pathogen. Three genotypes with potential of producing 3-ADON, 15-ADON and NIV were present in the population, and among them, 15-ADON producing genotype was predominant, and 3-ADON genotype produced more spores than the 15-ADON genotype. The proportion of 3-ADON genotype is increasing overtime in Alberta. The impact of increasing population of 3-ADON genotype is worthy of to be monitored for the management of FHB. There were variations in the population of F. graminearum isolates for growth rate, sporulation and pathogenicity but revealed no association among the parameters suggesting other factors like host susceptibility and environment play a significant role in the development of FHB.

The sorting nexin FgAtg20 is involved in the Cvt pathway, non-selective macroautophagy, pexophagy and pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum.

The sorting nexin Atg20/Snx42 plays an important role in autophagy. The wheat head blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum contains an FgAtg20 protein orthologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Atg20/Snx42, but its function remains largely unknown. Here, we report a role for FgAtg20 in regulating morphogenesis and fungal pathogenicity. Cytological observation and Western blot analysis revealed that ΔFgAtg20 mutants are defective in vacuolar transport and proteolysis of GFP-FgAtg8, indicating that FgAtg20 is required for non-selective macroautophagy. Furthermore, we found that FgATG20 is necessary for the maturation of FgApe1, an indicator of the cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway. Immunoblot analysis displayed lower level of FgPex14, a peroxisomal integral membrane protein in ΔFgAtg20 mutants, suggesting that pexophagy is impaired. Furthermore, we demonstrate that FgAtg20 forms a complex with FgAtg1, FgAtg11, FgAtg17 and FgAtg24. When considered together, we conclude that FgAtg20 plays a critical role in vegetative growth, conidiation and pathogenicity of the head blight pathogen, and is involved in the Cvt pathway, non-selective macroautophagy and pexophagy.

Effect of nano-ZnO on activity of wheat fusarium head blight pathogen

Effect of nano-ZnO on activity of wheat fusarium head blight pathogen

Green-Synthesization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Garlic and Its Antifungal Activity against Wheat Fusarium Head Blight Pathogen Fusarium Graminearum.

Nanoparticles are expected to play a vital role in the management of future plant diseases, and they are expected to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional synthetic fungicides. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were green synthesized through the mediation by using the endophytic bacterium Pseudomonas poae strain CO, which was isolated from garlic plants (Allium sativum). Following a confirmation analysis that used UV–Vis, we examined the in vitro antifungal activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs with the size of 19.8–44.9 nm, which showed strong inhibition in the mycelium growth, spore germination, the length of the germ tubes, and the mycotoxin production of the wheat Fusarium head blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Furthermore, the microscopic examination showed that the morphological of mycelia had deformities and collapsed when treated with AgNPs, causing DNA and proteins to leak outside cells. The biosynthesized AgNPs with strong antifungal activity were further characterized based on analyses of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, EDS profiles, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Overall, the results from this study clearly indicate that the biosynthesized AgNPs may have a great potential in protecting wheat from fungal infection.