Phosphonat zur Bekämpfung der Phytophthora infestans bei Kartoffeln – eine mögliche Alternative zu Kupfer?

Since more than hundred years, copper-products are used to control late blight of potato, caused by Phytophthora infestans. However, the heavy metal copper accumulates in the soil and affects soil flora and fauna. For this reason, copper agents are listed in the EU only until the end of November 2016. In conventional and integrated farming, copper products have been replaced by synthetic fungicides. In organic production, intensive research is conducted to develop effective alternatives that could replace copper fungicides. In Germany, plant strengthening agents based on phosphonate are allowed to be used in organic viticulture until the end of the flowering period to control downy mildew. However, if vine plants are treated with phosphonate after flowering, residues remain in the grapes. Nevertheless, the use of these products in viticulture enabled a reduction in copper treatments. Potato field trials were conducted in order to investigate whether phosphonate products can entirely or partially replace copper fungicides. Another aim was to clarify to what extent residues can be reduced with applications limited to a particular time or growth stage period

PestiRed: A Swiss on-farm approach to reduce pesticide use in arable crops

Das Konzept des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes (IPM) hat sich erfolgreich bewährt. Allerdings ist es immer noch eine Herausforderung IPM Strategien erfolgreich umzusetzen. Darüber hinaus fehlen umfassende Untersuchungen zu Effekten und Wechselwirkungen kombinierter Verfahren im Verlauf gesamter Fruchtfolgen. Im Rahmen der Bemühungen den Einsatz von Pflanzenschutzmitteln (PSM) in der Schweizer Landwirtschaft zu reduzieren, wird der integrierte Pflanzenschutz im Ackerbau in einem mehrjährigen on-farm Projekt weiterentwickelt. Projektbeginn ist Herbst 2019. Ziel ist es, den PSM Einsatz um 75 % zu reduzieren, bei einem maximalen Ertragsverlust von 10 %. Es werden vorbeugende und alternative Maßnahmen umgesetzt, die vor allem natürliche Regulationsmechanismen von Schadorganismen (Pathogene, Schädlinge, Unkräuter) ausnutzen. Maßnahmen wie Zwischenfrüchte, Mischkulturen, Blühstreifen und biologische Bekämpfungsmittel werden in unterschiedlichen 6-jährigen Fruchtfolgen in einem Netzwerk von 75 landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben untersucht und umgesetzt. Es handelt sich um einen co-innovativen Ansatz, an dem Wissenschaftler, Landwirte und landwirtschaftliche Beratungsdienste in unterschiedlichen Regionen der Schweiz beteiligt sind. Die Wirksamkeit der Methoden auf Unkräuter, Krankheiten, Schädlinge und Nützlinge wird über alle Fruchtfolgen beobachtet und beurteilt.The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) has proven successful, however challenges in implementing IPM strategies remain. Furthermore, detailed investigations are needed to elucidate the performance and trade-offs of combined practices along entire crop rotations. In the framework of efforts to reduce the use of pesticides in Swiss agriculture, IPM in arable crops will be further developed in an on-farm project starting in autumn 2019. The overall aim of the project is to reduce pesticide use by 75% with a maximum yield loss of 10%. Preventive and alternative practices supporting natural control of noxious organisms (pathogens, pests, weeds) such as cover crops, intercropping, flower strips and biological control agents will be implemented and investigated in different 6-year crop rotations in a network involving 75 farms. The project involves scientists, farmers and extension services in a co-innovation process in five regions of the Swiss plateau. Effectiveness of the practices on weeds, diseases, pests and beneficials will be closely monitored and evaluated along the entire crop rotation

Bekämpfung des Schneeschimmels (Microdochium majus) bei Winterweizen mit Naturstoffen – vom Labor ins Feld

The fungal pathogen Microdochium majus, causing snow mould, seedling blight or foot rot results in severe yield losses in small grain cereals. There are few options to control this pathogen in organic production. In this study, aqueous extracts and powders from the botanicals chamomile, meadowsweet, thyme and Chinese galls were tested in vitro against M. majus conidia germination and mycelial growth. Subsequently, powders of three chosen botanicals were tested for their effect on emergence of M. majus infected wheat seedlings from soil in climate chambers. Furthermore, seed treatments with warm water, a commercialised bacterial product and one chosen botanical were tested in a field experiment throughout three consecutive years. Of the botanicals tested, Chinese galls showed the highest efficacy in controlling M. majus, reducing conidia germination and mycelial growth by up to 97 and 100 %, respectively. In the growth chamber, an application with Chinese galls compared with the control treatment increased total seedling emergence by up to 57 %. In the field, yield increase through Chinese galls, the bacterial product and the warm water treatment compared with the control was 19, 10 and 37 %, respectively. This study demonstrated the potential of Chinese galls to control M. majus in wheat

Bekämpfung von Microdochium nivale (Schneeschimmel) auf Weizen mit Präparaten auf Pflanzenbasis

Snow mold, caused by the fungal pathogen Microdochium nivale, is an important seed-borne disease of various cereals and fodder plants, leading to reduced stands after emergence. No agricultural measures are known to prevent snow mold, hence, direct control measures are needed. For organic agriculture, seed dressing with plantbased products could be an alternative. In contrast to spray treatments onto the crop, the formulation and application of plant preparations onto seeds represents a greater challenge in terms of adhesion, persistence, and lasting efficacy. In the current study, three plant-based powders applied with two different seed coating materials were tested for their efficacy against MN of wheat. Both adjuvants demonstrated equally satisfying adhesion and showed no differences in terms of disease control. One of the plant-based preparations reduced in vitro the MN infestation of a naturally infected seed lot by 50%, whereas in vivo, it increased emergence of wheat seedlings by 71%

Bekämpfung von Fusarien mit antifungalen Pflanzenprodukten und deren Effekte auf den Mykotoxin-Gehalt von Weizen

Fusarium graminearum (FG) is the most prevalent Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) fungus in Switzerland. In conventional agriculture, fungicides are used to reduce the risk of FHB infection and mycotoxin contamination of wheat. As an alternative for organic wheat production, we examined plant-based products that showed antifungal effects from our previous late blight field trials. In bioassays, the effect of these antifungal plant preparations (APP) was screened against FG. In 2006 and 2008, the most active APP, Rheum palmatum, Frangula alnus and preparations of Galla chinensis as well as a plant substance (PSX), were used as FHB control agents in field trials with artificial FG infections. In both years, FG incidence and deoxynivalenol content were significantly reduced by the APP. In 2006, the reduction was in the same dimension as applications with Pronto Plus®, a fungicide mixture of tebuconazole and spiroxamine

A European Database of Fusarium graminearum and F-culmorum Trichothecene Genotypes

Fusarium species, particularly Fusarium graminearum and F culmorum, are the main cause of trichothecene type B contamination in cereals. Data on the distribution of Fusarium trichothecene genotypes in cereals in Europe are scattered in time and space. Furthermore, a common core set of related variables (sampling method, host cultivar, previous crop, etc.) that would allow more effective analysis of factors influencing the spatial and temporal population distribution, is lacking. Consequently, based on the available data, it is difficult to identify factors influencing chemotype distribution and spread at the European level. Here we describe the results of a collaborative integrated work which aims (1) to characterize the trichothecene genotypes of strains from three Fusarium species, collected over the period 2000-2013 and (2) to enhance the standardization of epidemiological data collection. Information on host plant, country of origin, sampling location, year of sampling and previous crop of 1147 F graminearurn, 479 F culmorum, and 3 F cortaderiae strains obtained from 17 European countries was compiled and a map of trichothecene type B genotype distribution was plotted for each species. All information on the strains was collected in a freely accessible and updatable database (www.catalogueeu.luxmcc.lu), which will serve as a starting point for epidemiological analysis of potential spatial and temporal trichothecene genotype shifts in Europe. The analysis of the currently available European dataset showed that in F. grarninearum, the predominant genotype was 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) (82.9%), followed by 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) (13.6%), and nivalenol (NIV) (3.5%). In F culmorum, the prevalent genotype was 3-ADON (59.9%), while the NIV genotype accounted for the remaining 40.1%. Both, geographical and temporal patterns of trichothecene genotypes distribution were identified.Ministere de l'Agriculture, de la Viticulture et de la Protection des Consommateurs-Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture; M.I.U.R. Project AGROGEN (Laboratory of GENomics for traits of AGROnomic importance in durum wheat: Identification of useful genes, functional analysis and assisted selection by biological markers for the development of the national seed chain) [602/Ric]; Felix Thornley Cobbold Trust; John Oldacre Foundation; Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech RepublicMinistry of Agriculture, Czech Republic [800415]; Spanish Ministry MINECOSpanish Government [AGL201.4-53928-C2-2-R]; Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Norway; Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (GABI-KANADA), BonnFederal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF) [FKZ 0313711A]; German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), BonnDeutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) [A/06/92183]; Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Direction Generale de l'Agriculture, Direction de la Recherche [D31-3159, D31-1162, D31-7055]; P.O.R. SARDEGNA F.S.; Danish Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agri Business [FFS05-3]; Academy of FinlandAcademy of Finland [126917, 131957, 250904, 252162, 267188, 266984]; Olvi Foundation; Turku University Foundation; CIMO travel grant; Nordic network project New Emerging Mycotoxins and Secondary Metabolites in Toxigenic Fungi of Northern Europe - Nordic Research Board [090014]The Luxembourg institute of Science and Technology, LU, acknowledges the Ministere de l'Agriculture, de la Viticulture et de la Protection des Consommateurs-Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture for financially supporting the Sentinelle project. The work on Italian strains has been financially supported through the M.I.U.R. Project AGROGEN (Laboratory of GENomics for traits of AGROnomic importance in durum wheat: Identification of useful genes, functional analysis and assisted selection by biological markers for the development of the national seed chain) (D. D. 14.03.2005 n. 602/Ric). Funding for the research of Ryan Basler was provided by Felix Thornley Cobbold Trust and the John Oldacre Foundation.; The work of JC was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Project No. 800415. The research of MG and PG was supported by the Spanish Ministry MINECO (AGL201.4-53928-C2-2-R). The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Norway funded the work of IH. The research of TM was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (GABI-KANADA #FKZ 0313711A), Bonn and by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Bonn (code no.: A/06/92183). PP acknowledges the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for funding the project FinMyco on Fusarium and mycotoxins in Finland. The research of JS was funded by the Direction Generale de l'Agriculture, Direction de la Recherche (ref. D31-3159, D31-1162, D31-7055), in the framework of a project entitled Caracterization et dynamique des fusarioses sur mais en Region Wallonne. BS acknowledges support by P.O.R. SARDEGNA F.S.E. 2007-2013-Obiettivo competitivita regionale e occupazione, Asse IV Capitale umano, Linea di Attivita 1.3.1 (research project Identification of natural and natural-like molecules inhibiting mycotoxin biosynthesis by Fusaria pathogenic on cereals). UT thanks the Danish Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agri Business grant FFS05-3 for financial support. The work of TY was financially supported by the Academy of Finland (no. 126917, 131957, 250904, 252162, 267188, and 266984), Olvi Foundation, Turku University Foundation, a CIMO travel grant to Taha Hussien, and the Nordic network project New Emerging Mycotoxins and Secondary Metabolites in Toxigenic Fungi of Northern Europe (project 090014), which was funded by the Nordic Research Board

Environmental Exposure to Estrogenic and other Myco- and Phytotoxins

Zearalenone (ZON) is known as a very potent, naturally occurring estrogenic mycotoxin. It is one of the most prevalent mycotoxin produced as a secondary metabolite by Fusarium species growing on cereals such as wheat and corn. It has been studied extensively in food and feed products for decades but only rarely and somewhat by chance in the environment. We therefore elucidated its agro-environmental fate and behavior by conducting a series of field studies and monitoring campaigns. Specifically, ZON was investigated in plants, soils and drainage waters from wheat and corn fields artificially infected with Fusarium graminearum. In addition, manure, sewage sludge and surface waters were analyzed for ZON. Three main input pathways of ZON onto soil could be identified: i) wash-off from Fusarium-infected plants (in the order of 100 mg/ha), ii) plant debris remaining on the soil after harvest (up to few g/ha), and iii) manure application (in the order of 100 mg/ha). Our results show that these input sources altogether caused the presence of several g/ha of ZON in topsoil. Compared to this, ZON emission by drainage water from Fusarium-infected fields was generally low, with maximum concentrations of 35 ng/l and total amounts of a few mg/ha. Due to dilution, ZON concentrations dropped below environmental relevance in larger surface water bodies. However in small catchments dominated by runoff from agricultural land, ZON might substantially contribute to the estrogenicity of such waters. Apart from ZON, other natural toxins monitored in this study, such as the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol or the estrogenic phytoestrogen formononetin, emitted to and occurred in surface waters at considerably higher amounts. To date their ecotoxicological effects are largely unknown

Factors of wheat grain resistance to Fusarium head blight

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is an important wheat disease that affects grain yield and conformation, and contaminates grains with mycotoxins, including the trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON). The impacts of Fusarium infections on grain filling, grain deformation and rheological properties were assessed under different environmental conditions. Genotypes with elevated grain anthocyanin content were used. Resistance of seven wheat varieties and breeding lines was assessed with artificial infections in the field. Grains from infected and control plots were assessed for proportion of Fusarium damaged kernels, grain filling (thousand kernel weight) and DON accumulation. Biochemical and rheological properties of harvested grain were also assessed. Grain resistance to Fusarium has several components, including resistance against DON accumulation, deformation and stability of grain filling. These mechanisms are interdependent but act independently. Resistance against DON contamination was highly influenced by environmental conditions, but environment had little effect on the other resistance components. Anthocyanins and protein concentrations were unchanged in infected grains, suggesting that FHB does not affect grain biosynthesis processes but impacts the transport of assimilates caused by changes in grain composition. We suggest that this is the reason for the alterations of rheological properties. The greater the grain resistance, the less was the impact on dough properties. This study suggests that the resilience of rheological properties under FHB infection pressure is an additional component of grain resistance to the disease

Fusarium and mycotoxin spectra in Swiss barley are affected by various cropping techniques

Fusarium head blight is one of the most important cereal diseases worldwide. Cereals differ in terms of the main occurring Fusarium species and the infection is influenced by various factors, such as weather and cropping measures. Little is known about Fusarium species in barley in Switzerland, hence harvest samples from growers were collected in 2013 and 2014, along with information on respective cropping factors. The incidence of different Fusarium species was obtained by using a seed health test and mycotoxins were quantified by LC-MS/MS. With these techniques, the most dominant species, F. graminearum, and the most prominent mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), were identified. Between the three main Swiss cropping systems, Organic, Extenso and Proof of ecological performance, we observed differences with the lowest incidence and toxin accumulation in organically cultivated barley. Hence, we hypothesise that this finding was based on an array of growing techniques within a given cropping system. We observed that barley samples from fields with maize as previous crop had a substantially higher F. graminearum incidence and elevated DON accumulation compared with other previous crops. Furthermore, the use of reduced tillage led to a higher disease incidence and toxin content compared with samples from ploughed fields. Further factors increasing Fusarium infection were high nitrogen fertilisation as well as the application of fungicides and growth regulators. Results from the current study can be used to develop optimised cropping systems that reduce the risks of mycotoxin contamination

A European Database of Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum Trichothecene Genotypes

. Fusarium species, particularly Fusarium graminearum and F culmorum, are the main cause of trichothecene type B contamination in cereals. Data on the distribution of Fusarium trichothecene genotypes in cereals in Europe are scattered in time and space. Furthermore, a common core set of related variables (sampling method, host cultivar, previous crop, etc.) that would allow more effective analysis of factors influencing the spatial and temporal population distribution, is lacking. Consequently, based on the available data, it is difficult to identify factors influencing chemotype distribution and spread at the European level. Here we describe the results of a collaborative integrated work which aims (1) to characterize the trichothecene genotypes of strains from three Fusarium species, collected over the period 2000-2013 and (2) to enhance the standardization of epidemiological data collection. Information on host plant, country of origin, sampling location, year of sampling and previous crop of 1147 F graminearurn, 479 F culmorum, and 3 F cortaderiae strains obtained from 17 European countries was compiled and a map of trichothecene type B genotype distribution was plotted for each species. All information on the strains was collected in a freely accessible and updatable database (www.catalogueeu.luxmcc.lu), which will serve as a starting point for epidemiological analysis of potential spatial and temporal trichothecene genotype shifts in Europe. The analysis of the currently available European dataset showed that in F. grarninearum, the predominant genotype was 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) (82.9%), followed by 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) (13.6%), and nivalenol (NIV) (3.5%). In F culmorum, the prevalent genotype was 3-ADON (59.9%), while the NIV genotype accounted for the remaining 40.1%. Both, geographical and temporal patterns of trichothecene genotypes distribution were identified.</p