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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #230778
Title: Greenhouse and Field Demonstration of Microbial Supression of Fusarium Head Blight in Barley

Author
item Van Cauwenberge, James
item Schisler, David
item COOPER, BLAKE - BUSCH AG RES,FT COLL,CO
item SMITH, KEVIN - UNIV MN, ST.PAUL, MN

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2009
Publication Date: 10/29/2009
Citation: Van Cauwenberge, J.E., Schisler, D.A., Cooper, B., Smith, K.P. 2009. Greenhouse and Field Demonstration of Microbial Supression of Fusarium Head Blight in Barley [abstract]. Proceedings of the 2008 North American Barley Researchers Workshop. p. 36.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a disease of wheat and barley responsible for extensive losses in quality and yield. The primary causative agent for FHB is Gibberella zeae (anamorph = Fusarium graminearum) which initially infects spikes to produce dark brown water-soaked spots on glumes of florets and ultimately can cause thin blighted kernels, reduced test weights, and reduced grain quality. To determine the feasibility of reducing FHB on barley using microbial antagonists, seven strains of gram-positive bacteria and yeasts previously described as suppressive to FHB on wheat were examined. After production in liquid culture, antagonists were sprayed onto barley heads at anthesis in both greenhouse and field trials. Lacey and Tradition, six-rowed malting varieties with high yield, good lodging resistance, and kernel plumpness, were used in all trials. In greenhouse studies, suspensions of Gibberella zeae conidia were applied onto heads immediately after antagonist suspensions. In field trials, Gibberella zeae was grown on cracked corn then broadcast over the test plot two weeks prior to anthesis and application of microbial treatments. In at least one set of duplicated greenhouse experiments, five microbial strains reduced FHB by 25-84 percent on Tradition; and four strains reduced FHB by 52-71 percent on Lacey. In field trials, four microbial strains reduced FHB by 10-23 percent on Tradition, while one strain reduced FHB by 17 percent on Lacey. Strain efficacy in the greenhouse was not always predictive of field performance. Further research to evaluate the potential of including microbial antagonists in the integrated management of FHB on barley is justified.