Biological Control of Infestations of Ditchweed ( Cannabis sativa ) with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Cannabis in Kazakhstan

Tiourebaev, K. S.; Семенченко, Г. В.; Dolgovskaya, M. Yu.; McCarthy, Mary-Jane; Anderson, T. W.; Carsten, Laura; Pilgeram, Alice L.; Sands, David C.

doi:10.1080/09583150120067562

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…After identifying which amino acids both inhibited Striga and did not affect maize (previous step), we selected variants of pathogenic F. oxysporum that excreted the selected amino acids. Selection of amino acid-overproducing lines of microorganisms is a relatively straightforward process ( Sands and Hankin, 1974 ; Tiourebaev et al, 2001 ). The F. oxysporum strains were grown in minimal CATSUP media [Czapek’s glucose salts medium (Difco Laboratories, Detroit]) supplemented with thiamine (4 mg/L), proline (2100 mg L -1 ), uracil (20 mg L -1 ), and a commercial vitamin mixture (e.g., Sesame Street Brand, or similar) at 37°C.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Striga Biocontrol on a Toothpick: A Readily Deployable and Inexpensive Method for Smallholder Farmers

Nzioki

Oyosi²,

Morris

et al. 2016

Front. Plant Sci.

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Striga hermonthica (witchweed) is a parasitic weed that attacks and significantly reduces the yields of maize, sorghum, millet, and sugarcane throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Low cost management methods such as hand weeding, short crop rotations, trap cropping, or conventional biocontrol have not been effective. Likewise, Striga-tolerant or herbicide-resistant maize cultivars are higher yielding, but are often beyond the economic means of sustenance farmers. The fungal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae, has been the object of numerous studies to develop Striga biocontrol. Under experimental conditions this pathogen can reduce the incidence of Striga infestation but field use is not extensive, perhaps because it has not been sufficiently effective in restoring crop yield and reducing the soil Striga seed bank. Here we brought together Kenyan and US crop scientists with smallholder farmers to develop and validate an effective biocontrol strategy for management of Striga on smallholder farms. Key components of this research project were the following: (1) Development of a two-step method of fungal delivery, including laboratory coating of primary inoculum on toothpicks, followed by on-farm production of secondary field inoculum in boiled rice enabling delivery of vigorous, fresh inoculum directly to the seedbed; (2) Training of smallholder farmers (85% women), to produce the biocontrol agent and incorporate it into their maize plantings in Striga-infested soils and collect agronomic data. The field tests expanded from 30 smallholder farmers to a two-season, 500-farmer plot trial including paired plus and minus biocontrol plots with fertilizer and hybrid seed in both plots and; (3) Concerted selection of variants of the pathogen identified for enhanced virulence, as has been demonstrated in other host parasite systems were employed here on Striga via pathogen excretion of the amino acids L-leucine and L-tyrosine that are toxic to Striga but innocuous to maize. This overall strategy resulted in an average of >50% increased maize yield in the March to June rains season and >40% in the September to December rains season. Integration of this enhanced plant pathogen to Striga management in maize can significantly increase the maize yield of smallholder farmers in Kenya.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Striga Biocontrol on a Toothpick: A Readily Deployable and Inexpensive Method for Smallholder Farmers

Nzioki

Oyosi²,

Morris

et al. 2016

Front. Plant Sci.

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“…By selecting for virulence enhancement using amino acid analogs of leucine, tyrosine, and methionine, we were able to obtain sufficient excretion of these amino acids to inhibit Striga and, to reduce the soil seed bank of Striga because methionine is converted by soil microbes to ethylene, a seed germination stimulant. 30,31 Through this virulence selection method of hostspecific fungi, we were able to produce a more effective bioherbicide. This enhanced bioherbicide, distributed to the village-level in the form of fungi embedded in toothpicks and later with wooden dowels, for secondary inoculation of boiled rice, was found to meet the needs of impoverished subsistence farmers, mostly women with on-farm families, in bringing this weed under control on their farms in western Kenya.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Toothpick Project: commercialization of a virulence‐selected fungal bioherbicide for Striga hermonthica (witchweed) biocontrol in Kenya

Baker,

Sands,

Nzioki

2023

Pest Management Science

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The high‐level view of global food systems identifies three all‐encompassing barriers to the adoption of food systems solutions: knowledge, policy, and finance. These barriers, and the siloed characteristics of each of these, have hindered the development and adoption of microbial herbicides. How knowledge, policy, and finance are related to the Toothpick Project's path of commercializing a new bioherbicide, early in the scope of the industry, is discussed here. The Toothpick Project's innovation, developed over four decades and commercialized in 2021, uses strains of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae selected for overproduction and excretion of specific amino acids, killing the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Striga or witchweed), Africa's worst pest threat to food security. Historically, bioherbicides have not been a sufficient alternative to the dominant use of synthetic chemical herbicides. To be used safely as bioherbicides, plant pathogens need to be host specific, non‐toxic, and yet sufficiently virulent to control a specific weed. For commercialization, bioherbicides must be affordable and require a sufficient shelf life for distribution. Given the current triple storm encountered by the chemical herbicide industry (herbicide‐resistant weeds, lawsuits, and consumer pushback), there exists an opportunity to use certain plant pathogens as bioherbicides by enhancing their virulence. By discussing barriers in the scope of knowledge, policy, and finance in the development of the Toothpick Project's new microbial bioherbicide, we hope to help others to anticipate the challenges and provide change‐leaders, particularly in policy and finance, a ground level perspective of bioherbicide development.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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“…Because of its host specificity, FoxC has been studied as a biocontrol for C. sativa (Hildebrand and McCain, 1978;McCain and Noviello, 1985;Tiourebaev et al, 2001). In Italy, hemp production was eliminated in the region where the type isolate of the fungus was collected, and cultivars that were commonly grown and susceptible to the disease, are no longer available (McCain and Noviello, 1985).…”

Section: Fusarium Oxysporum Species Complexmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Isolates collected in the region were evaluated on ditchweed for host specificity, then mycoherbicide potential was determined. The most effective isolate infected 50-66% of ditchweed plants depending upon the year tested (Tiourebaev et al, 2001).…”

Section: Fusarium Oxysporum Species Complexmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diseases of Cannabis sativa Caused by Diverse Fusarium Species

et al. 2022

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The potential of species of Fusarium to cause significant economic losses in Cannabis sativa due to plant diseases and mycotoxin residues is the subject of this review. Sixteen species of Fusarium, reported as associated with cannabis production, are classified in six species complexes: Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. sambucinum, F. tricinctum, and F. fujikuroi. Taxonomy in this genus is the subject of debate, and removal of species in the F. solani Species Complex to the genus, Neocosmospora, has been proposed. Many species associated with C. sativa are also opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Species of Fusarium produce a myriad of mycotoxins, including at least three (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisin B) deemed the most important mycotoxins in human and animal foods. These chemicals vary from the very simple chemicals (moniliformin and butanolide) to the structurally complex depsipeptides (beauvericin and enniatin B) and trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol and its acetylated derivatives, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2-toxin). The robust strategies for disease management (e.g., exclusion of the pathogen, control of environment, and host resistance) are in development for this new crop and have primarily relied on management systems for other crops. Biopesticides have been labeled for use on C. sativa; however, few efficacy trials have been performed. Host resistance to these pathogens and transmission are also understudied. The new markets for C. sativa and its derivative products require knowledge for control of these important fungal diseases to provide safe products for human consumption.

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Biological Control of Infestations of Ditchweed ( Cannabis sativa ) with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Cannabis in Kazakhstan

Cited by 17 publications

References 12 publications

Striga Biocontrol on a Toothpick: A Readily Deployable and Inexpensive Method for Smallholder Farmers

Striga Biocontrol on a Toothpick: A Readily Deployable and Inexpensive Method for Smallholder Farmers

The Toothpick Project: commercialization of a virulence‐selected fungal bioherbicide for Striga hermonthica (witchweed) biocontrol in Kenya

Diseases of Cannabis sativa Caused by Diverse Fusarium Species

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