Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026
Gibberella zeae Ascospore Production and Collection for Microarray Experiments.
Published on: November 30, 2006
Effect of Microsphaeropsis sp. on the Production of Perithecia and Ascospores of Gibberella zeae
I Bujold1, T C Paulitz1, O Carisse2
1Macdonald Campus of McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada.
Abstract:
The potential of Microsphaeropsis sp. (isolate P130A) as an antagonist of Gibberella zeae was tested under in vitro and field conditions. Firstly, an in vitro method of ascospore production was developed on wheat and corn residues. The plant type (corn or wheat), residue type (straw/stalk or grain), and incubation conditions (closed or open) had a significant effect on ascospore production. Perithecia were more abundant on wheat and corn grain incubated under open conditions. On these two substrates, the application of Microsphaeropsis sp. significantly reduced ascospore production. On wheat, the antagonist had a significant effect when applied 2 weeks before (-2), at the same time (0), and 4 weeks after (+4) inoculation with G. zeae, with 1.73, 0.31, 1.11, and 1.36 log ascospores per cm2 for the control, -2, 0, and +4 weeks treatments, respectively. On corn, Microsphaeropsis sp. had a significant effect when applied 2 weeks before, at the same time, 4 weeks after, and 6 weeks after inoculation with G. zeae with 3.02, 0.23, 1.29, 2.35, and 2.22 log ascospores per cm2 for the control, -2, 0, +4, and +6 weeks treatments, respectively. When applied to crop residues in the field as postharvest or preplanting applications, Microsphaeropsis sp. had no effect on the pattern of perithecia maturation, but significantly reduced the number of perithecia produced on two sampling dates, May 1998 and July 1999. There is a potential to biologically reduce the initial inoculum of G. zeae; however, more work is needed to optimize the efficacy of the biocontrol agent.
Insights
The biocontrol agent Microsphaeropsis sp. effectively reduced Gibberella zeae ascospore production in laboratory and field trials. This fungus shows potential for biological control of G. zeae inoculum in agricultural settings.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Gibberella zeae is a significant plant pathogen causing crop losses.
- Controlling G. zeae inoculum is crucial for disease management.
- Biological control agents offer a sustainable approach to reduce pathogen populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Microsphaeropsis sp. (isolate P130A) as a biological control agent against Gibberella zeae.
- To optimize ascospore production of G. zeae on various crop residues.
- To assess the impact of Microsphaeropsis sp. application timing on G. zeae inoculum reduction.
Main Methods:
- Developed an in vitro method for G. zeae ascospore production on wheat and corn residues.
- Tested the effect of plant type, residue type, and incubation conditions on ascospore yield.
- Applied Microsphaeropsis sp. at different timings relative to G. zeae inoculation in vitro and on crop residues in field trials.
Main Results:
- Ascospore production was influenced by substrate and incubation conditions, with higher yields on wheat and corn grain under open conditions.
- Microsphaeropsis sp. significantly reduced G. zeae ascospore production in vitro across various application timings.
- Field applications of Microsphaeropsis sp. on crop residues reduced perithecia production on two sampling dates.
Conclusions:
- Microsphaeropsis sp. demonstrates potential as a biocontrol agent to reduce G. zeae inoculum.
- Optimizing application strategies is necessary to enhance the efficacy of this biocontrol agent.
- Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of Microsphaeropsis sp. for agricultural applications.
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