Bacilus velezensis RC 218 as a successful biocontrol agent to reduce Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol accumulation ensuring food quality parameters on harvested wheat

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the main fungal diseases affecting bread (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) crops worldwide, resultingin important economic losses such as reduced grain yield, quality and safety due to mycotoxin contamination, mainly deoxynivalenol (DON). In Argentina, FHB is caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto when humid weather conditions prevail during anthesis stage. Management strategies commonly used to cope with FHB are not highly efficient if individually applied. Biocontrol appears as an environmentally friendly tool that can be incorporated within an integrated management program. Previous studies carried out by our research grouphighlighted the effectiveness of Bacillus velezensis RC 218 to reduce FHB severity and DON accumulation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biocontrolactivity of B. velezensis RC 218 during 2019 harvest season in Córdoba Province, Argentina on bread wheat infected by F. graminearum ss. At anthesis the pathogen and the biocontrol agent were applied. After 21 days, disease incidence and severity were evaluated. At harvest maturity, quality parameters and DON accumulation were analyzed. B. velezensis caused reductions of 37.5% and 33.3% in disease severity and Fusarium‐damaged kernels respectively. A significant reduction in DON accumulation was observed. Regarding quality parameters flour ash values and alveograph parameters were improved in the treatments with the biocontrol agent. Microbiome dynamic preliminary data from wheat spikes treated with the pathogen biocontrol agent and control treatments were also evaluated.