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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 #263337

Title: 2010 Uniform biological control trials - preliminary results

Author
item YUEN, G - University Of Nebraska
item JOCHUM, C - University Of Nebraska
item HALLEY, S - North Dakota State University
item SWEETS, L - University Of Missouri
item KIRK, W - Michigan State University
item Schisler, David

Submitted to: National Fusarium Head Blight Forum
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2010
Publication Date: 12/7/2010
Citation: Yuen, G.Y., Jochum, C.C., Halley, S.A., Sweets, L.E., Kirk, W., Schisler, D.A. 2010. 2010 Uniform biological control trials - preliminary results. Proceedings of National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. 112-115.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Because substantially reducing Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat has proven to be difficult using any one control measure, integrated control approaches are seen as the best opportunity to consistently reduce the disease. Biological control agents (BCAs), applied as a tank mix with fungicides at wheat flowering or as a separate treatment later in head development, would theoretically be well positioned to reduce FHB in concert with fungicides. Additionally, BCAs that are efficient colonists of wheat heads would be in place to reduce new infections that can take place during late kernel development when fungicides are not approved for use. The objective of this second year of multisite field tests was to determine whether BCAs applied alone or in combination with the fungicide Prosaro™ 421 SC would demonstrate consistency in disease and mycotoxin reducing efficacy comparable to that shown in 2009 field tests. In 2010, six trials involving a range of wheat market classes were conducted across four states. The biological materials tested were a dual-cultured, two yeast strain mixture (Cryptococcus flavescens OH 182.9, NRRL Y-30216 and C. aureus OH 71.4, NRRL Y-30213) and a commercial product containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24. All individual and combination treatments of fungicide and BCA reduced FHB disease incidence, severity, and index. Unlike the 2009 results, Prosaro fungicide alone was effective in reducing field disease parameters; and therefore, no advantage was shown in combining fungicide with BCAs. However, as shown in 2009, Prosaro and BCA agent combinations were the most effective in reducing the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in wheat kernels with the treatment of spraying Prosaro at flowering and the dual cultured yeast five days later reducing DON by an average of 37%.