Fitness Attributes of Fusarium graminearum Isolates from Wheat in New York Possessing a 3-ADON or 15-ADON Trichothecene Genotype

In all, 50 isolates of Fusarium graminearum from wheat spikes in New York, including 25 isolates each of the 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON) and 3-ADON genotype, were tested to determine whether 3-ADON isolates are more fit for saprophytic survival and pathogenicity on wheat spikes than are 15-ADON isolates. The isolates were characterized and compared for 14 different attributes of saprophytic fitness and pathogenic fitness on a susceptible wheat variety. Isolates of the two genotypes could not be differentiated for most of these traits. Three principle components—ascospore production on corn stalks, total trichothecene amount in wheat kernels, and incidence of diseased spikelets up from the point of inoculation—accounted for 29.4, 18.9, and 10.8% of the variation among the isolates, respectively. A bootstrapping procedure grouped the isolates into two distinct groups, with 27 and 23 isolates each, with isolates from both genotypes represented in similar proportions (15-ADON/3-ADON, n = 14/13 and 11/12). Within the contemporary population of F. graminearum causing wheat head blight in New York, isolates with a 3-ADON genotype did not possess any detectable advantage over isolates with a 15-ADON genotype in saprophytic fitness or in pathogenic fitness on a susceptible wheat cultivar.

Download Full-text

Fusarium graminearum Isolates from Wheat and Maize in New York Show Similar Range of Aggressiveness and Toxigenicity in Cross-Species Pathogenicity Tests

Phytopathology ◽

10.1094/phyto-07-14-0208-r ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 105 (4) ◽

pp. 441-448 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Paulo R. Kuhnem ◽

Emerson M. Del Ponte ◽

Yanhong Dong ◽

Gary C. Bergstrom

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Rank Order ◽

Ear Rot ◽

Head Blight ◽

Mycotoxin Production ◽

Pathogenicity Tests ◽

Similar Range ◽

Maize Kernels ◽

Wheat Kernels

This study aimed to assess whether pathogenic Fusarium graminearum isolates from wheat and maize were more aggressive on their host of origin and whether aggressiveness was influenced further by B-trichothecene chemotype. Fifteen isolates were selected from a contemporary collection of isolates surveyed in New York in 2011 to 2012 to represent diversity of host of origin and chemotype. Three pathogenicity assays were used to evaluate and compare these isolates. Fusarium head blight (FHB) severity and trichothecene production in wheat, and maize seedling blight were evaluated in greenhouse inoculation experiments, and Gibberella ear rot (GER) severity and trichothecene production were evaluated in maize ears inoculated in the field. Our results showed among F. graminearum isolates a wide variation in aggressiveness and mycotoxin production toward wheat and maize and these isolates could not be structured by their host of origin or by chemotype. Moreover, aggressiveness rank order changed according to the host/organ evaluated. This indicates that relative susceptibility at the seedling stage may not predict susceptibility of ears. Significant correlations were observed of total trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol [DON] and its acetylated derivatives) produced with FHB and GER severity on wheat and maize, respectively. One isolate did not produce DON or ADON in wheat or maize kernels, yet was aggressive on both hosts. Nine of the fifteen isolates produced small amounts of zearalenone (ZON) in maize kernels, but not in wheat kernels, and ZON level was not correlated with GER severity. F. graminearum isolates from New York showed wide variation in aggressiveness and mycotoxin production toward susceptible wheat and maize. Neither host of origin nor trichothecene chemotype appeared to structure the populations we sampled.

Download Full-text

The Spread of a Released Clone of Gibberella zeae from Different Amounts of Infested Corn Residue

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-03-11-0218 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 95 (11) ◽

pp. 1458-1464 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Melissa D. Keller ◽

Wade E. Thomason ◽

David G. Schmale

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Wheat Cultivar ◽

Gibberella Zeae ◽

Corn Stalk ◽

Head Blight ◽

Inoculum Sources ◽

Length Polymorphisms ◽

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms ◽

Corn Residue ◽

Moderately Resistant

Corn residue is a significant source of inoculum for epidemics of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat and barley, but little is known about the influence of different amounts of corn residue on FHB. We monitored the spread of a released clone of Gibberella zeae (Fusarium graminearum), causal agent of FHB, from small 0.84-m-diameter research plots containing 45, 200, or 410 g of infested corn stalk pieces in winter wheat and barley fields in Virginia over 3 years (2008 to 2010). The fungus was recaptured through the collection of wheat and barley spikes at 0 and 3 m from the source and the released clone was identified in heterogeneous background populations using amplified fragment length polymorphisms. Results showed a slightly greater intensity of recovery of the clone at a greater distance when more infested residue was present. Plots containing larger amounts of inoculum (410 g) generally resulted in a smaller decline of recovery of the clone at 3 m from the source, indicating a greater spread from the larger inoculum source. The clone was also recovered at distances ≥18 m from inoculum sources. Larger amounts of corn residue generally had less influence on clone recovery in plots containing a moderately resistant wheat cultivar than those containing a susceptible wheat cultivar.

Download Full-text

Estimating the Production and Release of Ascospores from a Field-Scale Source of Fusarium graminearum Inoculum

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-04-13-0404-re ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 98 (4) ◽

pp. 497-503 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Aaron J. Prussin ◽

Nicole A. Szanyi ◽

Patricia I. Welling ◽

Shane D. Ross ◽

David G. Schmale

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Atmospheric Transport ◽

Artificial Substrates ◽

Corn Stalk ◽

Field Scale ◽

Head Blight ◽

Spore Trap ◽

Ascospore Production ◽

Substrate Types

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of wheat and barley caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. The fungus produces spores that may be transported over long distances in the atmosphere. In order to predict the atmospheric transport of F. graminearum, the production and release of ascospores must be known. We conducted a series of laboratory and field experiments to estimate perithecia production and ascospore release from a field-scale source of F. graminearum inoculum. Perithecia were generated on artificial (carrot agar) and natural (corn stalk) substrates. Artificial substrates produced 15 ± 0.4 perithecia/cm2, and natural substrates produced 44 ± 2 perithecia/cm2. Eighty perithecia were excised from both substrate types and allowed to release ascospores every 24 h. Perithecia generated from artificial and natural substrates released a mean of 104 ± 5 and 276 ± 16 ascospores over 10 days, respectively. A volumetric spore trap was placed inside a 1-acre clonal source of inoculum in 2011 and 2012. Results indicated that ascospores were released predominantly during the night (1900 to 0700). Estimates of ascospore production for our field-scale sources of inoculum were approximately 400 million ascospores/day for 10 days. Mathematical models can use estimates of ascospore production to assist in predicting the transport of F. graminearum.

Download Full-text

Effects of Temperature and Moisture on Development of Fusarium graminearum Perithecia in Maize Stalk Residues

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02436-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 82 (1) ◽

pp. 184-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Valentina Manstretta ◽

Vittorio Rossi

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Head Blight ◽

Dispersal Patterns ◽

Content Type ◽

Predominant Component ◽

Effects Of Temperature ◽

Ascospore Production ◽

Maize Stalks ◽

Over Time

ABSTRACTFusarium graminearumis the predominant component of the Fusarium head blight complex of wheat.F. graminearumascospores, which initiate head infection, mature in perithecia on crop residues and become airborne. The effects of temperature (T) and moisture on perithecium production and maturation and on ascospore production on maize stalk residues were determined. In the laboratory, perithecia were produced at temperatures between 5 and 30°C (the optimum was 21.7°C) but matured only at 20 and 25°C. Perithecia were produced when relative humidity (RH) was ≥75% but matured only when RH was ≥85%; perithecium production and maturation increased with RH. Equations describing perithecium production and maturation over time as a function ofTand RH (R2> 0.96) were developed. Maize stalks were also placed outdoors on three substrates: a grass lawn exposed to rain; a constantly wet, spongelike foam exposed to rain; and a grass lawn protected from rain. No perithecia were produced on stalks protected from rain. Perithecium production and maturation were significantly higher on the constantly wet foam than on the intermittently wet lawn (both exposed to rain). Ascospore numbers but not their dispersal patterns were also affected by the substrate.

Download Full-text

Triazole Sensitivity in a Contemporary Population of Fusarium graminearum from New York Wheat and Competitiveness of a Tebuconazole-Resistant Isolate

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-10-13-1051-re ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

pp. 607-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Pierri Spolti ◽

Emerson M. Del Ponte ◽

Yanhong Dong ◽

Jaime A. Cummings ◽

Gary C. Bergstrom

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Mycelial Growth ◽

Field Isolate ◽

Effective Concentration ◽

Resistant Isolate ◽

Head Blight ◽

Future Studies ◽

Sensitive Isolate ◽

Mean Sensitivity

A sample of 50 isolates, including 25 each of the 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and the 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol trichothecene genotype, from a contemporary collection of Fusarium graminearum associated with Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat in New York varied in sensitivity to tebuconazole (effective concentration leading to a 50% reduction of mycelial growth [EC50] of 0.28 to 8.09 mg/liter; μ = 1.12 mg/liter) and metconazole (0.05 to 0.86 mg/liter; μ = 0.33). Mean sensitivity did not differ between the trichothecene genotype groups. Isolate Gz448NY11 from Steuben County is the first tebuconazole-resistant field isolate of F. graminearum reported in the Americas and has the lowest sensitivity to tebuconazole (EC50 = 8.09 mg/liter) documented for this species. Suppression of FHB and deoxynivalenol (DON) following application of a commercial rate of tebuconazole was significantly diminished in plants inoculated with the tebuconazole-resistant isolate compared with those inoculated with a tebuconazole-sensitive isolate well documented for its aggressiveness and toxigenicity on wheat. There was no diminution of FHB and DON suppression with either isolate following application of metconazole. Significantly more individuals of the tebuconazole-resistant isolate were recovered from spikes inoculated with an equal mixture of the two isolates and sprayed with tebuconazole. Future studies are needed on the epidemiology and monitoring of triazole-resistant isolates to understand the risk that fungicide resistance poses to disease management and food security.

Download Full-text

Effects of Atmospheric CO2 Level on the Metabolic Response of Resistant and Susceptible Wheat to Fusarium graminearum Infection

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions ◽

10.1094/mpmi-06-18-0161-r ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 379-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf ◽

Martha M. Vaughan ◽

Karl Vermillion ◽

Anu Surendra ◽

Jennifer Teresi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Climate Changes ◽

Metabolic Response ◽

Wheat Variety ◽

Steady Increase ◽

Head Blight ◽

Co2 Level ◽

Induced Changes ◽

Metabolic Biomarkers ◽

Moderately Resistant

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and associated climate changes are thought to have contributed to the steady increase of Fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat. However, our understanding of precisely how elevated CO2 influences the defense response of wheat against Fusarium graminearum remains limited. In this study, we evaluated the metabolic profiles of susceptible (Norm) and moderately resistant (Alsen) spring wheat in response to whole-head inoculation with two deoxynivalenol (DON)-producing F. graminearum isolates (DON+), isolates 9F1 and Gz3639, and a DON-deficient (DON−) isolate (Gzt40) at ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (800 ppm) CO2 concentrations. The effects of elevated CO2 were dependent on both the Fusarium strain and the wheat variety, but metabolic differences in the host can explain the observed changes in F. graminearum biomass and DON accumulation. The complexity of abiotic and biotic stress interactions makes it difficult to determine if the observed metabolic changes in wheat are a result of CO2-induced changes in the host, the pathogen, or a combination of both. However, the effects of elevated CO2 were not dependent on DON production. Finally, we identified several metabolic biomarkers for wheat that can reliably predict FHB resistance or susceptibility, even as atmospheric CO2 levels rise.

Download Full-text

Fusarium Head Blight: Effect of Infection Timing on Spread of Fusarium graminearum and Spatial Distribution of Deoxynivalenol within Wheat Spikes

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9010079 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 79

Author(s):

Elias Alisaac ◽

Anna Rathgeb ◽

Petr Karlovsky ◽

Anne-Katrin Mahlein

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Fusarium Head Blight ◽

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Fungal Biomass ◽

Head Blight ◽

Wheat Varieties ◽

Fungal Dna ◽

Infection Timing ◽

Wheat Kernels ◽

Days After Anthesis

Most studies of Fusarium head blight (FHB) focused on wheat infection at anthesis. Less is known about infections at later stages. In this study, the effect of infection timing on the development of FHB and the distribution of fungal biomass and deoxynivalenol (DON) along wheat spikes was investigated. Under greenhouse conditions, two wheat varieties were point-inoculated with Fusarium graminearum starting from anthesis until 25 days after anthesis. The fungus and fungal DNA were isolated from the centers and the bases of all the spikes but not from the tips for all inoculation times and both varieties. In each variety, the amount of fungal DNA and the content of DON and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3-G) were higher in the center than in the base for all inoculation times. A positive correlation was found between the content of fungal DNA and DON in the centers as well as the bases of both varieties. This study showed that F. graminearum grows downward within infected wheat spikes and that the accumulation of DON is largely confined to the colonized tissue. Moreover, F. graminearum was able to infect wheat kernels and cause contamination with mycotoxins even when inoculated 25 days after anthesis.

Download Full-text

Relationship Between Efficacy of Fusarium Head Blight Chemical Control and Deoxynivalenol Contamination on Wheat Kernels

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v12n9p227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 227

Author(s):

Erlei Melo Reis ◽

Mateus Zanatta ◽

Andrea Camargo Reis

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Head Blight ◽

Chemical Control ◽

Wheat Cultivar ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Growing Season ◽

Inverse Relation ◽

Efficient Technology ◽

Head Blight ◽

No Till ◽

Wheat Kernels

In field experiment carried out in the 2018 growing season we tried to show the inverse relation between the efficacy of fusarium head blight (FHB) chemical control and the deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration in harvested kernels. The wheat cultivar Tbio Mestre was established under no-till in soybean residues and in winter rotation with black oats. The leaf rust and yellow spot control was performed during the vegetative stage by spraying the whole experimental area with three applications of epoxiconazole + krezoxim methyl (0.7 L/ha). The most potent fungicides metconazole + pyraclostrobin (1.0 L/ha) + mancozeb (2.0 kg/ha), prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin (0.4 L/ha) and pydiflumetofen (1.0 L/ha) were compared to control FHB. Disease incidence in spikes, incidence in spikelets, or spikes severity, grain weight and yield were evaluated. DON concentration was. Using the most efficient technology available for FHB control, the hypothesis of the inverse relationship between disease intensity occurring naturally in spikes, and deoxinivalenol (DON) concentration in the harvested grains was confirmed. DON concentration in unsprayed grains was 3,675 and in the best treatments 821 to 1,067 ppb.

Download Full-text

Combination of yeast antagonists and Acibenzolar-S-Methyl reduced the severity of Fusarium head blight of wheat incited by Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto

Plant Science Today ◽

10.14719/pst.1438 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sinegugu Precious Nothando Shude ◽

Nokwazi Carol Mbili ◽

Kwasi Sackey Yobo

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Head Blight ◽

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Wheat Cultivar ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Head Blight ◽

Control Efficacy ◽

Disease Progress ◽

Progress Curve ◽

Half Strength ◽

Spring Wheat Cultivar

The combination of yeast antagonists and Acibenzolar-S-Methyl (ASM) was tested against Fusarium graminearum on a spring wheat cultivar PAN3471. Two strains of Papiliotrema flavescens (Strains WL3 and WL6) and a strain of Pseudozyma sp. (MGO1) were combined with full strength ASM at anthesis, half strength ASM at anthesis and quarter strength ASM at late boot stages. The yeast and ASM treatments were applied prior to F. graminearum inoculation and disease progress was assessed over time. The combination of yeast and ASM treatments effectively reduced Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) severity and deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration compared to when the treatments were used alone. A positive correlation was observed between the Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) and Percentage Seed Infection (PSI) (r = 0.44) whereas a negative correlation was observed between AUDPC and Hundred Seed Weight (HSW) (r = -0.77) and PSI and HSW (r = -0.44). The best combination treatment providing the highest reduction in final disease severity (41.83%), high HSW and moderate PSI was 0.075 g/l ASM at anthesis plus P. flavescens strain WL3. The highest DON reduction (19.35%) was by the treatment 0.075 g/l ASM at anthesis plus P. flavescens strain WL6. The best treatment was P. flavescens combined with 0.075 g/l ASM at anthesis. Although Pseudozyma sp. strain MGO1 did not provide the best FHB and DON reduction, its combination with ASM application improved disease control efficacy. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first report of the combination of P. flavescens and ASM in the management of FHB caused by F. graminearum in wheat plants.

Download Full-text

Screening of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.) Italian Cultivars for Susceptibility to Fusarium Head Blight Incited by Fusarium graminearum

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10010068 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 68

Author(s):

Gaetano Bentivenga ◽

Alfio Spina ◽

Karim Ammar ◽

Maria Allegra ◽

Santa Olga Cacciola

Keyword(s):

Durum Wheat ◽

Fusarium Head Blight ◽

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Triticum Turgidum ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Conidial Suspension ◽

Head Blight ◽

Italian Origin

In 2009, a set of 35 cultivars of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.) of Italian origin was screened for fusarium head blight (FHB) susceptibility at CIMMYT (Mexico) and in the 2019–20 cropping season, 16 of these cultivars, which had been included in the Italian National Plant Variety Register, were tested again in southern and northern Italy. Wheat cultivars were artificially inoculated during anthesis with a conidial suspension of Fusarium graminearum sensu lato using a standard spray inoculation method. Inoculum was a mixture of mono-conidial isolates sourced in the same areas where the trials were performed. Isolates had been characterized on the basis of morphological characteristics and by DNA PCR amplification using a specific primer set and then selected for their virulence and ability to produce mycotoxins. The susceptibility to FHB was rated on the basis of the disease severity, disease incidence and FHB index. Almost all of the tested cultivars were susceptible or very susceptible to FHB with the only exception of “Duprì”, “Tiziana” and “Dylan” which proved to be moderately susceptible. The susceptibility to FHB was inversely correlated with the plant height and flowering biology, the tall and the late heading cultivars being less susceptible.

Download Full-text