Tan spot of wheat: Can biological control interact with actual management practices to counteract this global disease?

Abstract

Tan spot is a devastating foliar disease of wheat caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, a necrotrophic ascomycete, which causes considerable yield losses worldwide. To control this disease, an integrated management plan must be implemented by the combination of different tools such as the use of wheat varieties with resistance to Tan spot, crop rotation, tillage systems, balanced fertilization and fungicide application. However, there are increasing worldwide restrictions related to the use of chemical products due to environmental and human risks, aggravated by the fact that consumers are demanding food produced in a more environmentally-friendly way. These facts encouraged producers and scientists to exploit the use of native beneficial microorganisms to control phytopathogens of wheat, that can be used as a tool to control Tan spot. This review focuses on the combination of microorganisms with different management practices to produce wheat in a more sustainable way.