Connection between primary Fusarium inoculum on gramineous weeds, crop residues and soil samples and the final population on wheat ears in Flanders, Belgium

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of wheat, which is influenced by weather conditions and agronomic factors. Since FHB is a mostly monocyclic disease, the quantity of primary inoculum is a key factor influencing the FHB incidence. To investigate the connection between the primary Fusarium inoculum and the final population on wheat ears, naturally occurring populations of Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium poae and Microdochium nivale were studied at eight locations in Flanders, Belgium. To determine the composition of the primary inoculum in November 2008, gramineous weeds, wheat residues, maize residues and soil samples were examined. In July 2009, wheat ears were examined to gain insight into the composition of the population at the end of the growing season. Comparing both populations can give an indication to what extent the primary inoculum in November 2008 contributes to the final FHB population in July 2009. Fusarium species residing saprophytically on gramineous weeds and crop residues or species persisting in soil as chlamydospores certainly contribute to the primary inoculum that will lead to infection of cereal crops grown on that field. Knowledge of the correlation between the primary inoculum and the composition of the FHB population at the end of the growing season can be important to predict the occurrence of FHB contamination and to implement control strategies for Fusarium Head Blight.

Impact of local pre-harvest management practices in maize on the occurrence of Fusarium species and associated mycotoxins in two agro-ecosystems in Tanzania

“…From each sample, three randomly picked grains were surfacesterilized for 30 s in 1% NaOCl, washed for 30 s with 70% EtOH, washed with distilled sterile water, dried for five minutes, placed on PDA plates (potato dextrose agar, Oxoid Belgium, 39 g PDA/l) and subsequently purified as previously described in Landschoot et al (2011). The obtained fungal species were categorized as Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus or other based on macroscopic (color, reverse color and mycelium) and microscopic (conidiophores shape) characteristics.…”

“…The obtained fungal species were categorized as Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus or other based on macroscopic (color, reverse color and mycelium) and microscopic (conidiophores shape) characteristics. For Fusarium species determination, a mycelium plug taken from the fully grown PDA slants was transferred to liquid GPY-broth (10 g glucose, 1 g yeast and 1 g peptone, Oxoid Belgium) and incubated for seven days at 25 C (Landschoot et al, 2011). After the incubation period, the mycelium was transferred to eppendorf tubes, centrifuged for a short spin and freezedried overnight at À70 C. The freeze-dried material was crushed and DNA extraction was performed with the Invisorb ® Spin Plant Mini Kit (STRATEC Molecular, Germany) according to the manufacturers' instructions.…”

Gramineous weeds near paddy fields are alternative hosts for the Fusarium graminearum species complex that causes fusarium head blight in rice

“…FHB epidemics are influenced by cropping systems that leave high amounts of crop residues on the soil surface. Moreover, some weed species have been identified as alternative hosts of FGSC, and their potential significance in the development of FHB epidemics has been demonstrated (Inch and Gilbert, ; Pereyra and Dill‐Macky, ; Landschoot et al , ; Postic et al , ; Mourelos et al , ; Lofgren et al , ; Suproniene et al , ). The FGSC isolates from weeds were also pathogenic on wheat under artificial infection conditions (Pereyra and Dill‐Macky, ; Lofgren et al , ; Suproniene et al , ).…”

Survival of Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight. A review

“…In July, F. equiseti and F. culmorum were isolated in addition to F. graminearum and F. sporotrichioides, while in August, all species were isolated. Although weed removal has been an important part in the control of different fungal plant diseases for many decades (Mantle et al 1977;Miedaner et al 2011), it is clear that the reduction soil tillage and sustainable pesticide use are clearly going to bring about with them a new focus on the role of weeds in Fusarium head blight mediation (Landschoot et al 2011;Postic et al 2012).…”