Development of a new biological control product for powdery mildew control in cereals

Abstract: Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis is a major fungal disease in cereal crops. The objective of our research was to select fungal antagonists for control of Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici in wheat. More than 1200 fungal isolates were obtained from powdery mildew pustules on leaves collected in The Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. Isolates were tested for spore production, cold tolerance, UVb resistance, drought tolerance and safety. The effect of selected isolates on powdery mildew sporulation on winter wheat seedlings was quantified. Superior isolates were subsequently applied on spring wheat under open field conditions. Two isolates significantly slowed down the progression of powdery mildew epidemic in the spring wheat crop.