Biological formulations for control of Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisins in maize at field level

SARTORI, MELINA; NESCI, A; ETCHEVERRY, M.

Bordeaux

Seminario; 12th European Fusarium Seminar; 2013

INRA

Biological control with antagonistic native bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Microbacterium oleovorans against F. verticillioides infection and fumonisin B1 production in field-grown was evaluated. During four consecutive maize growing seasons (2004-2005; 2005-2006; 2006-2007 and 2007-2008) the biocontrol agents were applied in liquid inoculums, and in the 2009-2010 growing seasons the biocontrol agents were applied as the active components of two liofilized formulations. All assays were performed in Río Cuarto, Córdoba province, central area of Argentina. Inoculation with liquid inoculums of both biocontrol agents significantly reduced F. verticillioides propagules in maize grains and promoted a significant reduction on fumonisin B1 contents of harvested grains during three of the four evaluated season. In 2007-2008 growing season the reduction were of 47% and 81% with B. amyloliquefaciens and M. oleovorans, respectively. Inocualtion with liofilized formulations did not affect F. verticilioides propagules, but fumonisin B1 in harvested grains were significantly reduced. In 2009-2010 growing season with the formulations of B. amyloliquefaciens the reduction was 51% and with formulations of M. oleovorans was 72%. Therefore, the addition of biocontrol agents could significantly improve the quality of maize, and also offers the advantage of working with a biological product that does not harm the environment. The liquid inoculums has a limited useful life, and therefore the inoculation of the seeds must be performed in a short time. The liofilized formulations maintain the biocontrol activity of the bacterial agents, and they also have the advantage of being stable both to prolonged storage and to environmental fluctuations in the field.