Effects of agrochemical treatments on the occurrence of Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination of maize in Southern Italy

The efficacy of agrochemical treatments, based on three different fungicides combined with an insecticide, was tested in southern Italy for two years on three maize hybrids to control Fusarium ear rot of maize and the accumulation in the maize kernels of the carcinogenic mycotoxins fumonisins. Insect damage incidence and severity, disease incidence and severity, identification of Fusarium species and levels of fumonisin contamination in kernels were determined. Field trials showed in both years that natural colonization of maize kernels by the fumonisin producing species Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticillioides (up to 81.5 and 26.5%, respectively) and total fumonisin contamination (up to 68.2 μg g⁻¹) were highly severe. For all hybrids and in both years, the treatment with the insecticide applied alone reduced the insect damage severity consistently and the content of fumonisins in the kernel only in half of the cases, whereas fungicide treatments applied in combination with the insecticide showed a further significant reduction of fumonisin contamination in the three hybrids and in both years.     

A dynamic risk assessment model (FUMAgrain) of fumonisin synthesis by Fusarium verticillioides in maize grain in Italy

Fumonisin contamination of maize grain starts in the field. Forecasting Fusarium infection and fumonisin synthesis could allow operators in the field to control contamination during the growing season and to make the best agronomic decisions for high quality yields while respecting the limits imposed by the European Union.A research project to develop a decision support system for the control of field-phase fumonisin contamination began in Italy in 2003. This paper presents a preliminary version of the engine of the decision support tool: FUMAgrain, a dynamic risk assessment model developed with data from the north of Italy. The structure of FUMAgrain is based on the pathosystem formed by maize, F. verticillioides and Ostrinia nubilalis (European Corn Borer). The elements of the pathosystem are simulated by three sub-models: (i) maize development, (ii) F. verticillioides infection and fumonisin synthesis, (iii) European Corn Borer wounding activity on maize grain. Inputs to the model are (i) planting date, (ii) hourly meteorological data including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rain intensity, (iii) information on the phenological development of the hybrid planted (flowering and dry-down), and (iv) information about the chemical treatment against European Corn Borer. FUMAgrain gives an initial risk alert at the end of flowering based on the meteorological conditions during this phase. A second alert follows maturation when an assessment is made from (i) maize grain moisture, (ii) European Corn Borer damage to the ear, and (iii) fumonisin synthesis risk. Following calibration and validation with data FUMAgrain demonstrated its good capability to simulate fumonisin synthesis in maize grain in Italy (calibration: R² = 0.70; validation: R² = 0.71) and its usefulness for determining the optimal harvest date while respecting grain safety levels required by the international market and limiting moisture content, hence drying costs.     

The effects of cultivar and prophylactic fungicide spray for leaf diseases on colonisation of maize ears by fumonisin producing Fusarium spp. and fumonisin synthesis in South Africa

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced primarily by Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum on maize. These are secondary, carcinogenic metabolites and have been reported on maize worldwide. Field trials were conducted during 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 in six diverse maize production areas of South Africa to study the efficacy of an existing prophylactic fungicide regime for the control of foliar diseases, on the infection of grains of seven cultivars by fumonisin producing Fusarium spp. and fumonisin synthesis. Seven cultivars were selected to include both yellow and white, Bt and non-Bt and regionally adapted varieties. Azoxystrobin + difenoconazole (strobilurin, 200 g/L + triazole, 125 g/L) was applied 40–45 days after planting followed by flusilazole + carbendazim (silicone triazole, 125 g/L + benzimidazole, 250 g/L) with petroleum as adjuvant, 28–30 days later. Fumonisins in harvested kernels were analysed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and fumonisin producing Fusarium spp. were quantified by means of quantitative Real Time PCR (qPCR). Mean natural colonisation of maize kernels by fumonisin producing Fusarium spp. was highest at Makhathini (33,696 pg/0.5 g of milled maize kernels) and the lowest at Potchefstroom (179 pg/0.5 g of milled maize kernels). Cultivars differed in susceptibility to fungal colonisation and fumonisin synthesis with PAN6P-110, DKC80-10 and CRN3505 proving most susceptible and LS8521B and DKC78-15B most resistant. Mean fumonisin contamination was highest at Makhathini (23.62 ppm) and lowest at Buffelsvlei (1.50 ppm). Analysis of variance showed no significant differences in colonisation of grain by fumonisin producing Fusarium spp. between sprayed and control treatments. Sprayed treatments had significantly higher fumonisin levels compared with unsprayed treatments. A highly significant cultivar × environment interaction was recorded for fungal colonisation. Highly significant environment × fungicide-treatment × cultivar interactions were recorded for fumonisin production. The strong interaction between cultivar and environment may be due to cultivar adaptation/behaviour under different environmental conditions. The use of a prophylactic fungicide spray regime for control of leaf diseases in maize did not reduce Fusarium ear rot in maize, however, significantly elevated fumonisin levels were recorded.     

Comparison of integrated field programmes for the reduction of fumonisin contamination in maize kernels

Fusarium verticillioides is a common maize pathogen which causes diseases on ears and synthesis of the mycotoxins, fumonisins, in kernels. Fumonisin production is influenced by both environmental conditions and agricultural inputs during growth and maturation of the maize plant. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of crop management techniques on fumonisin contamination in maize kernels. Experiments were conducted in Northern Italy during 2006 and 2007 using two maize hybrids with different precocity. Factors evaluated were seed planting time (March versus May), plant density (65,000 plants versus 80,000 plants per ha), N fertilization (200 kg N versus 400 kg N per ha), and chemical treatment to control European maize borer (ECB) (yes versus no). These factors were analyzed were as follows: (T1) May sowing, high plant density and N fertilization, (T2) March sowing time, high plant density and N fertilization, (T3) March sowing time, low plant density and balanced N fertilization, (T4) the same agronomic techniques as T3 plus a chemical treatment to control European maize borer. Ears were analyzed morphologically for ECB incidence and severity. Subsequently, kernels were analyzed chemically for fumonisins. Fumonisin contamination was reduced by 57%, 69% and 86% for T2, T3 and T4, respectively, compared to T1. This study clearly underlines that the application of good agricultural practices (GAP) in crop management strategies can effectively control fumonisin contamination of maize kernels.     

Physical and chemical parameters,Fusarium verticillioides growth and fumonisin production in kernels of nine maize genotypes

Fusarium verticilloides synthesizes fumonisins (FBs) in the field and during faulty storage of maize. FBs are worrisome because of their toxicological effects. Nine maize genotypes differing in physical grain properties, phytochemical profiles, and chemical compositions were evaluated. Kernels were tempered to 18% moisture and purposely contaminated with F. verticilloides to assess differences in mold growth and FBs. The genotype significantly influenced counts with mean values ranging from 12.9 CFU/mLx10⁴ for the highly susceptible Blue Don Goyo to only 1.0 CFU/mLx10⁴ for the Pob84C3 genotype. The concentrations of FBs in these two genotypes were 6.85 and 0.3 ppm, respectively. Popcorn kernels showed a relatively high level of Fusarium counts (7.0 CFU/mLx10⁴) but low concentrations of FBs (1.4 ppm). The large-sized Cacahuacintle and Don Goyo kernels, which had the lowest test weights and highest 1000 kernel weight (TKW) showed the highest occurrence of CFU likely due to their low proportion of pericarp, bound phenolics (coumaric), diferulic acids and bound antioxidants. Correlations indicated that mold counts did not correlate (r² = 0.6, P = 0.08) with FBs. However, grain thickness, hardness, TKW and bound phenolics were related to Fusarium counts. This research demonstrated that contrasting maize genotypes showed different susceptibilities to Fusarium growth and FBs contamination.     

Diallel analysis of fumonisin accumulation in maize

Contamination of maize (Zea mays L.) grain with aflatoxin, produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link: Fries, or fumonisin, produced by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides (Saccardo) Nirenberg (Syn F. moniliforme Sheldon), greatly reduces its value and marketability. Host resistance to fungal infection and mycotoxin accumulation is considered a highly desirable way to reduce losses of both aflatoxin and fumonisin. Maize germplasm lines with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation have been developed in Mississippi. Three of the aflatoxin-resistant lines and five additional lines were used as parents to produce a diallel cross. The diallel cross was evaluated for fumonisin accumulation in field tests conducted in Mississippi in 2007 and 2008. General combining ability (GCA) was a highly significant source of variation in both 2007 and 2008, but specific combining ability (SCA) was not significant. GCA effects for reduced fumonisin levels were highly significant for Mp715, Mp717, and GA209. Mp715 and Mp717 were developed and released as sources of resistance to aflatoxin contamination and exhibit resistance as inbred lines and in hybrid combinations. These lines should be useful in developing maize lines and hybrids with resistance to both fumonisin and aflatoxin accumulation in grain.     

上海地区鲜食玉米穗腐病致病镰孢菌的分离与鉴定

为明确上海地区鲜食玉米穗腐病致病镰孢菌的组成和分布,2020年在上海地区各鲜食玉米种植区采集66份穗粒腐果穗病样,通过组织分离、单孢纯化,获得272株单孢分离物。采用形态学和分子生物学等方法对单孢分离物进行鉴定,共鉴定到8个镰孢种203株镰孢菌,其中拟轮枝镰孢、变红镰孢、亚洲镰孢、产黄色镰孢、木贼镰孢、层出镰孢、新知镰孢和居群镰孢的分离频率依次为67.98%、9.36%、6.90%、5.91%、5.42%、2.96%、0.99%和0.49%。在不同采样区拟轮枝镰孢菌占比存在差异,崇明、奉贤和青浦地区采集的样品中拟轮枝镰孢菌分别占76.25%,71.62%和48.98%。结果表明,拟轮枝镰孢在上海地区鲜食玉米种植区广泛分布,为上海地区鲜食玉米穗腐病的主要优势致病菌。     

Analysis of host plant resistance to multiple Fusarium species associated with stalk rot disease in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Fusarium spp. is among the largest and most important pathogen groups that attack major grain crops including sorghum. The objectives of this study were to compare the virulence of Fusarium spp. associated with sorghum and examine the mode of resistance of genotypes to the disease. Eight Fusarium species – F. verticillioides, F. thapsinum, F. andiyazi, F. proliferatum, F. nyagamai, F. pseudoanthophilum, F. brevicatenulatum, and F. pseudonygamai – were studied using three sorghum genotypes under greenhouse condition. Three of these pathogens (F. verticillioides, F. thapsinum, and F. andiyazi) were selected for genetic analysis of resistance under field conditions. Sorghum genotypes with contrasting stalk rot reactions were selected for use in both the greenhouse and field experiments. Two weeks after flowering, plants were inoculated with liquid inoculum culture (5 × 10⁴ conidia ml⁻¹) of the different pathogens. Plants were harvested 4 weeks after inoculation and rated for disease severity on the basis of lesion length and number of nodes crossed by the lesion. Among the pathogens, F. thapsinum resulted in consistently higher disease scores in all genotypes under all environments. Likewise, genotype SC599 showed the greatest and most stable resistance as inbred as well as in hybrid combinations as shown by consistently high GCA for resistance to all pathogen species. We recommend that future screening exercises for Fusarium stalk rot resistance utilize F. thapsinum as the causal organism and include the resistant genotype SC599 as a control.     

Sensitivity of Fusarium verticillioides isolates from rice to a novel cyanoacrylate fungicide

The baseline sensitivity of Fusarium verticillioides to the novel cyanoacrylate fungicide 2-cyano-3-amino-3-phenylancryic acetate (experimental code JS399-19) was established, and its impact on the germination of rice seeds and efficacy in controlling rice bakanae disease by seed treatment were evaluated. The EC₅₀ values for JS399-19 inhibiting mycelial growth of wild-type F. verticillioides isolates ranged from 0.162 to 0.559 μg/ml (a 3.5-fold difference between the lowest and highest value), and the average (±SE) EC₅₀ value was 0.316 ± 0.072 μg/ml. The sensitivity curve was unimodal over the sensitive range and the sensitivity data can be used as a baseline for monitoring any future changes in sensitivity to JS399-19 by F. verticillioides populations. Germination of healthy seeds was greater than 77% for all the selected cultivars, and was unaffected by treatment with JS399-19. Treatment of infected seeds (harvested from diseased plants) with all concentrations of JS399-19 in this study significantly decreased the abnormal elongation and damping-off of seedlings in plastic bottles in the greenhouse, indicating that JS399-19 has excellent efficacy in controlling rice bakanae disease, and was safe to rice seeds. It could be used as a disinfectant of rice seeds infected by F. verticillioides. The results also suggested that the F. verticillioides isolates exhibited little sensitivity shift to this fungicide after a single application. If properly applied, JS399-19 might be used as a major fungicide or a good companion fungicide for the control of rice bakanae disease in China.     

Dynamic of water activity in maize hybrids is crucial for fumonisin contamination in kernels

The dynamic of water activity (a_w) and humidity (h) of maize (Zea mays L.) kernels and their relevance for fumonisin (FUM) accumulation in kernels was studied in 10 commercial hybrids grown in 5 locations of North Italy, in 2007 and 2008. The dynamic of both a_w and h in maize kernels was different in diverse hybrids and was accurately described by monomolecular and linear regression, respectively, using degree-days (base 0 °C) accumulated between female flowering and harvest as an independent variable (R² = 0.61-0.96, depending on the hybrid). FUM contamination at harvest was predicted by using a_w as an independent variable in a logistic regression which provided 67% of correct prediction of cases with FUM ≥ 4000 μg/kg of kernel; accuracy of prediction increased to 72% by using both a_w and ECB severity as independent variables. The use of h as independent variable provided 71% correct predictions, but specific correction factors were necessary for each hybrid. Results showed that “slow dry down” hybrids were more prone to FUM accumulation, irrespective of their season length. The identification of factors able to drive a_w dynamic in maize kernels and their genetic bases may then provide a crucial contribution in breeding maize for resistance to FUM contamination.     

Biological control of southern stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii using Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus clarum for suppression of southern stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Jerusalem artichoke was investigated in Thailand under greenhouse conditions. Experimental factors included two Jerusalem artichoke genotypes (HEL 246 and JA 37), two levels of T. harzianum and G. clarum (inoculated and blank). The biological control agents were added to the potting medium immediately before seedlings of Jerusalem artichoke were transplanted into it; 20 days later, seedlings were inoculated with S. rolfsii by placing infested sorghum seeds at the base of the stem. The combination of cv. HEL 246 with addition of both G. clarum and T. harzianum had the lowest disease incidence (30%) and required the longest time to permanent wilt (11 days after inoculation). Inoculation of cv. JA 37 and HEL 246 with G. clarum alone gave better control of the disease than did inoculation with T. harzianum alone. The results are the first published report of biological control of S. rolfsii on Jerusalem artichoke.     

Contamination of soil and transmission of seedborne potato dry rot fungi (Fusarium spp.) to progeny tubers

A survey of selected potato soils in Maine was made to determine the species and populations ofFusarium spp. present.Fusarium solani ‘Coeruleum’ was most often isolated butFusarium roseum ‘Sambucinum’ was not recovered from any soil. Crops or cropping sequences in general showed no direct relationship to observed Fusaria populations or tuber dry rot. Field studies were conducted to determine the effect ofFusarium contaminated seed on soil and daughter tuber contamination. Whole and cut seed were inoculated withFusarium roseum ‘Sambucinum’ and half of each lot treated with thiabendazole (1500 ppm) to controlFusarium seed decay. Soil populations ofF. roseum ‘Sambucinum’ were higher near plants produced from non-treated, cut seed tubers. No increase inFusarium populations was found between plants or near plants produced from whole or thiabendazole treated seed. Daughter tuber contamination was greatest from plants produced from non-treated contaminated cut seed, and lowest from whole or treated seed. Whole non-treated seed produced daughter tubers with contamination equal to treated whole seed. This indicates that the use of whole seed could be a method to reduce daughter tuber contamination and reduce reliance on chemical treatments. Cut seed contaminated withFusarium spp. is an important source of daughter tuber contamination which can result in a high amount of tuber dry rot in storage.     

甘肃省玉米根腐病致病镰孢菌分离与鉴定

为明确甘肃省玉米根腐病致病镰孢菌种类,2017～2019年在甘肃省不同地区采集玉米植株进行组织分离,采用形态学和分子生物学鉴定方法对分离物进行鉴定,按照柯赫氏法则对其致病性进行测定。结果表明,引起甘肃省玉米根腐病的致病镰孢菌为厚垣镰孢Fusarium chlamydosporum、禾谷镰孢F.graminearum、尖镰孢F.oxys-porum、层出镰孢F.proliferatum、茄镰孢F.solani、三线镰孢F.tricinctum、拟轮枝镰孢F.verticillioides和产黄色镰孢F.thapsinum,其中尖镰孢和拟轮枝镰孢为优势镰孢菌,分离频率分别为22.5%和20%。通过致病性测定发现,所有分离的镰孢菌都会引起玉米根系不同程度变褐,导致根系生长缓慢、茎基部溢缩和腐烂、近地部叶片黄化、叶边缘干枯等症状。     

Impact of long-term chemical fertilizer and organic amendment to Fusarium root rot of soybean

Soil suppressiveness to Fusarium root rot of soybean had been observed in a black soil field after a long-term fertilization with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer combined with pig manure as organic amendment (NPM), rather than that with only nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (NP) or no fertilizer (NF). To determine the microbial role on this suppressiveness, fungal and bacterial community characteristics in NPM, NP and NF treatments were investigated by qPCR and DGGE. Compared with the similar bacterial community characteristics among 3 treatments, fungal community, especially Fusarium population size and community composition in NPM treatment were different with those of NP and NF groups. Based on the isolation and pathogenicity test, pathogenic F. oxysporum, F. graminearum, F. verticillioide and F. lateritium absolutely dominated Fusarium community in NF and NP groups. Nonpathogenic F. avenaceum, F. equiseti, F. culmorum, F. redolens, F. solani and F. tricinctum dominated Fusarium community in NPM group. Isolation rate of pathogenic Fusarium in NPM reduced from 100% to 38% in NF. These results suggested that the dominance of soil non-pathogenic Fusarium population induced by organic amendment might play an important role on suppressing Fusarium root rot in the tested field.     

Development of new bioformulations using Trichoderma and Talaromyces fungal antagonists for biological control of sugar beet damping-off disease

The aims of this study were to develop new bioformulations using Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum, and Talaromyces flavus and some organic and inorganic carriers and evaluate their effects against Rhizoctonia solani, the fungal causal agent of sugar beet seedling damping-off disease. Selected fungal isolates were first re-cultured and maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) culture medium. Antagonistic effects of eight isolates of the above-mentioned antagonistic fungi were then evaluated against R. solani, through volatile metabolites and non-volatile metabolites production mechanisms under laboratory conditions. In volatile and non-volatile metabolite experiments, five and seven isolates caused significant reduction in R. solani growth respectively. Based on the results of laboratory experiments, the most effective antagonistic isolates (one isolate from each species) were selected for development of nine bioformulations using peat, rice bran and talc as carriers. The effectiveness of developed bioformulations was then evaluated in controlling sugar beet damping-off disease in a greenhouse experiment where sugar beet seeds were coated with bioformulations and were sown in pasteurized field soil pre-inoculated with R. solani. Results of the greenhouse experiment 60 days after sowing showed that all bioformulations increased the number of healthy seedlings significantly (compared to the untreated control) with different rates. According to the results, the most effective bioformulation was Talc-T. harzianum followed by Peat-T. flavus, Talc-T. flavus and Rice bran-T. harzianum. In general, in both laboratory and greenhouse experiments, T. flavus was the most effective fungal antagonist followed by T. harzianum and T. asperellum. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that Trichoderma and Talaromyces employing different mechanisms might be potential biocontrol agents for controlling R. solani-induced sugar beet damping-off disease.     

Non-chemical agents provide tenable,eco-friendly alternatives for the management of the major diseases devastating Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) in India

India is a leading producer of oilseed Brassicas, contributing approximately 23 percent of the country's total oilseed production. In India, the Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] crop is ravaged by various diseases, including Alternaria blight, white rust, downy mildew, Sclerotinia rot and powdery mildew, which can contribute to fluctuations in crop yields. A field experiment examining an integrated disease management system for Indian mustard (B. juncea) was conducted under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard (Indian Council of Agricultural Research or ICAR) during three crop seasons (2006–09) at 11 locations to assess treatments suitable for the management of crop disease. The data from the different locations and years regarding disease severity and incidence were pooled and analyzed. Seed treatments with freshly prepared Allium sativum bulb aqueous extract (1 percent w/v) resulted in significantly higher initial plant stands, across locations and years. Seed treatment with A. sativum bulb extract, followed by its use as a foliar spray, resulted in significantly reduced Alternaria leaf and pod blight severity, reduced white rust severity, fewer stag heads per plot, reduced downy mildew and Sclerotinia rot incidence, and reduced powdery mildew severity, across locations and years. The combination also provided significantly higher seed yields compared with the control across locations and years and was at par with treatment by chemical fungicides. The combination used in the present study was as effective as the combination of seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum and foliar spraying with Pseudomonas fluorescens and T. harzianum. Economic returns were higher when using biorational treatments (A. sativum bulb extract, T. harzianum, P. fluorescens) compared with chemical fungicides. The combination of seed treatments with T. harzianum followed by its use as a foliar spray (17.22), and the similar combination of seed treatments and foliar spraying with the A. sativum bulb extract (17.18), resulted in a higher benefit to cost ratio. This eco-friendly technology can help oilseed Brassica growers in India safeguard the crops from major diseases and increase the stability and productivity of the Indian mustard crop.     

河西走廊灌溉玉米田病虫草害发生和农药使用现状与减量对策

2017～2019年系统调查甘肃河西走廊地区灌溉春玉米田的病、虫、草害发生情况和生产中农药的投入情况及存在的问题,明确茎腐病(Pythium spp.&Fusarium spp.)、普通锈病(Puccinia sorghii)和穗腐病(Fusarium spp)是重点病害,蚜虫(Rhopalosiphum spp)和红...     

Association between aflatoxin contamination and drought tolerance traits in peanut

The current study investigates the association between drought tolerance traits and aflatoxin contamination in peanut grown under long-term drought. Two field experiments were conducted at Khon Kaen University, Thailand using a split–split plot design with three drought stress levels as main plots, 11 genotypes as sub-plots, and two soil inoculations of Aspergillus flavus treatments as sub-sub-plots. The effects of temperature, soil moisture and A. flavus population on kernel colonization and aflatoxin contamination, and drought tolerance traits viz. specific leaf area (SLA) and root length density (RLD) were measured. The results demonstrated that elevated soil temperatures and reduced soil moisture, favored aflatoxin production. Drought in combination with higher levels of A. flavus inoculum load in the soil resulted in an increase in the fungal populations in the soil which in turn resulted in increased kernel colonization and subsequent aflatoxin contamination. A combination of SLA and RLD, and kernel colonization had a significant influence on aflatoxin contamination under drought conditions in both seasons (r = 0.73** and 0.76**). The results revealed that drought tolerance traits (SLA and RLD) could be contributing to resistance to aflatoxin contamination suggesting that a combination of SLA, RLD and kernel colonization could be used as selection criteria in selecting parents for aflatoxin resistance.     

In vitro compatibility of microbial agents for simultaneous application to control strawberry powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis)

Biological control of plant pathogens on strawberries may be improved by the simultaneous application of different biological control agents (BCAs). Therefore, the compatibility of various BCAs which had previously shown to be effective against powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis (Wallr.) U. Braun & S. Takam) under laboratory conditions was examined in vitro. Inhibitory effects between fungal and bacterial BCAs were demonstrated in dual culture tests on two solid nutrient media. Leaf disc assays with single and multiple strain treatments demonstrated either unaffected or significantly improved control of P. aphanis for many multiple strain treatments, even if antagonistic interactions previously occurred in dual culture tests. Highest inhibition of powdery mildew conidiation (80.7% reduction) was achieved with multiple strain treatments with Bacillus subtilis FZB24 and Metarhizium anisopliae (p < 0.001). In this combination, conidiation was 3.7 times lower than in single treatments with B. subtilis indicating synergistic interactions between these BCAs. Combinations of Trichoderma harzianum T58 and B. subtilis FZB24 showed antagonistic interactions in dual culture tests as well as in leaf disc assays. In this combination, powdery mildew conidiation on leaf discs was four times higher compared to single treatments with T. harzianum T58.     

玉米镰孢穗腐病发生条件及化学防治效果研究

通过人工接种筛选抗病品种资源,研究播期、种植密度对病害发生的影响,明确玉米镰孢菌穗腐病发生与品种资源、播期、种植密度的关系,分析棘孢木霉菌颗粒剂(TCF)和XDS种衣剂(40%毒死蜱乳油、20%辛硫磷和10%井岗霉素混剂)对玉米穗腐病的防效。结果表明,32个自交系中有6个抗病自交系,延迟播种玉米镰孢菌穗腐病发生严重,播种密度对病害发生程度无显著影响。人工接种条件下,TCF颗粒剂穴施、XDS种衣剂拌种2个处理表现为百粒重增加、秃尖长度降低,TCF颗粒剂穴施处理的防效最高,为48.69%。