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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #357668
Research Project: Novel Methods for Controlling Trichothecene Contamination of Grain and Improving the Climate Resilience of Food Safety and Security Programs

Location: Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research

Title: Novel FHB control strategy using the volatile trichodiene to reduce mycotoxins

Author
item Vaughan, Martha
item GUTIERREZ, SANTIAGO - University Of Leon
item Bakker, Matthew
item Proctor, Robert
item McCormick, Susan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/22/2018
Publication Date: 11/22/2018
Citation: Vaughan, M.M., Gutierrez, S., Bakker, M.G., Proctor, R., McCormick, S.P. 2018. Novel FHB control strategy using the volatile trichodiene to reduce mycotoxins [abstract].

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fusarium graminearum, the primary fungal pathogen responsible for fusarium head blight, reduces crop yield and contaminates grain with trichothecene mycotoxins that are deleterious to plant, human and animal health. The first committed step in trichothecene biosynthesis is the formation of trichodiene. Trichodiene is a volatile compound, which suggests it may be useful in chemical communication. However, little is known about the potential function of trichodiene in regulating trichothecene biosynthesis. Our results indicate that fumigating with trichodiene reduces production of trichothecenes by F. graminearum, via downregulating expression of trichothecene biosynthetic genes and boosting host plant defenses. The trichodiene synthase gene was transformed into the previously characterized biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum, to create a system for delivery of trichodiene in combination with other biocontrol traits. Wheat plants treated with the transformed biocontrol strain (trichodiene +) develop significantly less disease and accumulate less mycotoxin, compared to plants treated with the wild type biocontrol strain (trichodiene -) or plants that receive no biocontrol treatment.