Pseudomonas and Trichoderma potential as biocontrol agents against wheat blast

• Grant number: 20/01675-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2020
• End date: November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Cezar Ceresini
• Grantee: Maikon Richer de Azambuja Pereira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this study we intend to determine if bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas and fungi from the genus Trichoderma have potential as antagonists toPyricularia graminis-tritici, the causal agent of the wheat blast disease. The disease is considered one of the most important, causing yield losses of up to 100% to the wheat crops. Chemical control with fungicides is the main management strategy, since there are no varieties with durable resistance to blast. However, the efficacy of fungicides molecules with specific systemic mode of action (such as strobilurins and azoles) is considered low due to the widespread distribution of fungicide resistance in the country. Considering the lack of stable varietal resistance and the ineffectiveness of fungicides, biological control is possibly a highly important sustainable alternative to minimize the impact of the wheat blast on the yield losses. Therefore, our specific objectives in this study are: i. to evaluate bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas and fungi from the genus Trichoderma for their potential as biocontrol agents against wheat blast, under greenhouse conditions; ii. to determine morphological and physiological changes on wheat plants in response to the biocontrol agents; iii. to describe the ultrastructural interactions between biocontrol agents, pathogen and plant using scanning electron microscopy. Due to the ability of these biocontrol agents to act by different mechanisms of action, such as antibiosis, competition and resistance induction, our hypothesis is that they will be efficient antagonists, significantly decreasing the severity of blast disease and its impact on wheat production. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE AZAMBUJA PEREIRA, MAIKON RICHER; MOREIRA, SILVINO INTRA; DA SILVA, ABIMAEL GOMES; NUNES, TIAGO CALVES; CAMPOS VICENTINI, SAMARA NUNES; DA SILVA, DAVI PRATA; DA SILVEIRA, PATRICIA RICARDINO; KIYAMA DE OLIVEIRA, TAMIRIS YOSHIE; SILVA, TATIANE CARLA; DOS SANTOS BOTELHO, DEILA MAGNA; et al. Potential of Pseudomonas and Trichoderma from the Brazilian Amazon as Biocontrol Agents against the Wheat Blast Disease. AGRONOMY-BASEL, v. 12, n. 9, p. 17-pg., 2022-09-01. (18/21197-0, 19/12509-1, 20/07611-9, 20/01675-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PEREIRA, Maikon Richer de Azambuja. Potential of Pseudomonas and Trichoderma as biocontrol agents of wheat blast. 2022. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Engenharia. Ilha Solteira Ilha Solteira.