Institut für Epidemiologie und Pathogendiagnostik
The overall objective of the project is to integrate an innovative biological control method using endemic nematode pathogenic fungi into the sugar beet cropping system to support sustainable control of beet cyst nematodes (Heterodera schachtii). To achieve this goal, two fungal strains (Pochonia chlamydosporia Pc001 and Exophiala sp. Ex007), which have shown great potential in preliminary trials, will be utilised for biological plant protection in order to close an economically relevant gap in sugar beet cultivation by directly controlling the nematodes in the soil. To this end, optimised formulation and application strategies for the fungal strains will be combined with the ecologically and agronomically relevant cultivation of catch crops. The formulated fungal strains will be applied by injecting them to the soil using the Cultan method, but also by seed application of the catch crops. This environmentally friendly biocontrol strategy can be used in both organic and integrated crop production. The intended project is based on results of a previous project (MycoNem). Especially, it is further utilising the fungal strains Pc001 and Ex007, which were isolated from the symptomatic eggs of sugar beet cyst nematodes (Heterodera schachtii) using a specific isolation method optimised in this project. The parasitic interaction of the fungal strains with the nematode eggs was confirmed in vitro by fulfilling Koch's postulates. Subsequently, the potential of the fungal strains as nematode antagonists for sugar beet cultivation was also demonstrated in greenhouse experiments: In greenhouse experiments, the application of the fungal strains strongly reduced the damage caused by H. schachtii to susceptible sugar beet compared to the control. To enable the successful integration of the presented biocontrol strategy into agricultural practice, the following scientific and technical work objectives [AZ] will be pursued in six work packages with the aim of producing one or more "prototypes" for nematode control based on the fungal strains mentioned. [AZ1]: The aim of this work package is the optimisation and technical transfer of the production processes to the industrial partners. Furthermore, the formulation of the two fungal strains will be optimised for application as water-dispersible granules into the soil via the Cultan process or as seed treatment of catch crops. [AZ2]: In this work package, the suitability of the application techniques in relation to the establishment of the fungal strains in the soil will be evaluated. [AZ3]: The development of standardised measurement parameters for determining the effectiveness of the prototype formulations against H. schachtii in the greenhouse should enable the identification of variables influencing the efficient field use of the prototype formulations. [AZ4]: Methods for the detection of fungal strains in soil and as root endophytes using cultivation, qPCR and microscopic methods are to be developed. This will allow the results of the evaluation from A5 to be correlated with the establishment of the fungi and thus improve interpretations. [AZ5]: The extensive evaluation of the efficacy of the prototype formulations against the sugar beet cyst nematode is performed using crop rotations with catch crops and sugar beet in two-year trials, in a well-established microplot facility and on field sites. [AZ6]: The project results will be communicated in a variety of ways to reach the scientific community as well as practitioners in agriculture.
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity
