Biocontrol of the toxigenic plant pathogen Fusarium culmorum by soil fauna in an agroecosystem.

In 2011 and 2013, a field experiment was conducted in a winter wheat field at Adenstedt (northern Germany) to investigate biocontrol and interaction effects of important members of the soil food web (Lumbricus terrestris, Annelida; Folsomia candida, Collembola and Aphelenchoides saprophilus, Nematoda) on the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium culmorum in wheat straw. Therefore, soil fauna was introduced in mesocosms in defined numbers and combinations and exposed to either Fusarium-infected or non-infected wheat straw. L.

Fusarium diseases of maize associated with mycotoxin contamination of agricultural products intended to be used for food and feed.

Infections of maize with phytopathogenic and toxinogenic Fusarium spp. may occur throughout the cultivation period. This can cause different types of diseases in vegetative and generative organs of the plant.

Contribution of the endogeic earthworm species Aporrectodea caliginosa to the degradation of deoxynivalenol and Fusarium biomass in wheat straw.

In arable fields managed by conservation tillage combined with crop residue mulching, plant pathogen repression is an important ecosystem service to prevent cultivated plants from fungal diseases and mycotoxin contamination. A laboratory microcosm study was conducted to investigate the contribution of the endogeic, geophagous earthworm species Aporrectodea caliginosa as a secondary decomposer to the reduction of the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium culmorum and its mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat straw residues. After 5 weeks experimental time, the Fusarium biomass and the DON concentration in aboveground straw were reduced considerably to the same extent both in presence and absence of A.

Uptake of deoxynivalenol by earthworms from Fusarium-infected wheat straw.

Conservation tillage combined with crop-residue mulching is increasingly important to meet soil protection targets. Concurrently, the health risk of soil-borne pathogenic fungi like Fusarium species, which produce deoxynivalenol (DON) as their major mycotoxin, is increasing. The detritivorous earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris takes part in the efficient degradation of Fusarium-infected and DON-contaminated wheat straw.

Influence of a Fusarium culmorum inoculation of wheat on the progression of mycotoxin accumulation, ingredient concentrations and ruminal in sacco dry matter degradation of wheat residues.

The Fusarium head blight (FHB)-susceptible winter wheat cv. Ritmo was inoculated with spores of Fusarium culmorum at the beginning of full blossom. Samples of whole wheat plants were taken once weekly from anthesis until harvest and subsequently fractionated into straw, glumes and spindles, which were examined for deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON).

Accurate Assessment of Wheat and Triticale Cultivar Resistance to Septoria tritici and Stagonospora nodorum Infection by Biotin/Avidin ELISA.

Specific and quantitative biotin/avidin-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (BA-ELISA) were evaluated for their ability to assess resistance of wheat and triticale cultivars to Septoria tritici (leaf blotch) and Stagonospora nodorum (leaf and glume blotch) in field trials. Using BA-ELISAs, the antigen amounts of S. tritici and of Stagonospora nodorum were measured in the flag leaf (F) and the first leaf below it (F-1) of five cultivars of triticale at Zadok's growth stage (GS) 75-80 and in 11 cultivars of wheat at GS 73-75 in 2001 and 2002.

Impact of Fusarium culmorum on the polysaccharides of wheat flour.

To assess the effects of Fusarium infection on the polysaccharides of winter wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.), grain samples obtained from plants artificially inoculated with Fusarium culmorum were analyzed. Microscopy revealed obvious damage to the starch granules in the seriously infected samples.

Effect of fungicide treatment on the quality of wheat flour and breadmaking.

Fungicides are applied to crop plants to ensure disease protection and improve growth. To assess the effects of five commercial foliar and spike fungicides in four different combinations on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), various quality parameters and flour processing properties, including baking quality, were determined.