Integrated biocontrol of fusarium head blight pathogens using Trichoderma asperellum and potassium silicate

Title : Integrated biocontrol of fusarium head blight pathogens using Trichoderma asperellum and potassium silicate

Abstract:

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) caused by species within the Fusarium graminearum complex is a persistent challenge to global wheat production, resulting in significant yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. This study evaluates the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma asperellum CKCT-S1 in combination with potassium silicate (KSi) as an environmentally sustainable strategy to mitigate FHB. The study characterized T. asperellum CKCT-S1 using molecular and genomic approaches, including ITS phylogenetic analysis and secondary metabolite biosynthesis prediction. AntiSMASH analysis identified 35 biosynthetic gene clusters linked to antifungal metabolite production. Sensitivity testing revealed that T. asperellum CKCT-S1 was minimally inhibited by potassium silicate (KSi) at a concentration of 1 mM. In vitro poison food assays demonstrated that integrating T. asperellum CKCT-S1 with KSi significantly suppressed the mycelial growth and spore germination of Fusarium species, with inhibition rates reaching 58.97%. In planta experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the biocontrol efficacy against FHB infected wheat plants. Treatments with T. asperellum CKCT-S1 and KSi reduced disease severity and enhanced seed health metrics, including seed length, width, and weight. The combined treatment suppressed pathogens, such as F. culmorum and F. pseudograminearum, more effectively than either agent alone. This research highlights the potential of integrating biocontrol agents with KSi for FHB management. The approach aligns with sustainable agriculture goals, offering a promising alternative to chemical fungicides while maintaining wheat yield and quality.

Biography:

Prof Ashwil Klein is an Associate Professor in Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape, where the lead the Proteomics Unit and Plant Omics Laboratory. His academic journey includes earning a PhD in Biotechnology, completing a postdoctoral fellowship, and participating in the prestigious DHET Future Professors Programme, designed to develop senior academics. With over a decade of experience, Prof Klein is deeply involved in curriculum development, administration, and teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, while also contributing to departmental leadership as Deputy Chairperson. His research focuses on plant biotechnology, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture, plant stress biology, and biocontrol systems. To date, they have supervised more than 70 postgraduate students, including 8 PhD candidates, and co-authored 78 peer-reviewed research outputs, which have garnered over 1800 citations with an H-index of 24.