| Summary: | Fusarium ear blight (FEB), caused by several Fusarium species is a worldwide disease of wheat and other small grain cereals. This disease can greatly reduce grain yield and is of concern because of the potential accumulation of mycotoxins in the grain intended for human and animal consumption. Control of the disease with fungicides is variable. Inconsistency of fungicide control has been linked to the difficulty of timing treatment application. ~- • Microencapsulation of fungicide may provide a way to overcome this problem. Microencapsulated formulations were therefore assessed under controlled conditions and in a field trial. Results obtained in the growth room were promising. Work on formulation showed that the addition of the sticker Bond substantially improves the level of control of the formulation. However, under field conditions, the microencapsulated fungicide did not give any control. In vitro work showed the release of tebuconazole from the yeast capsules is by diffusion rather than by cell fracture. Screening of bacteripl isolates for the biological control of FEB also showed potential under controlled conditions but results obtained in growth room trials did not transfer to the field. Work undertaken to develop an integrated strategy for the control of FEB was unsuccessful. Compatibility problems between the formulated biological agent Botokiller and the microencapsulated formulation Micap 21.7% were observed and when applied in a dual application strategy, they did not improve FEB control ;- compared to the fungicide used alone. The use of a moderately resistant cultivar did not improve the level of control of fungicides in terms of visual symptoms and yield. However, DON contamination was markedly reduced by the application of Micap 21.7% and Folicur on the moderately resistant cv. Centrum.
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