Effect of bacterial endophytes in mycotoxin production of barley
Citation
V. Weerasinghe, J.R. Tucker, A. Badea, W.G. D. Fernando, C. Wijekoon (2023 Jan 19-20) Effect of bacterial endophytes in mycotoxin production of barley. Rapid fire symposium at CCARM. Winnipeg (In person)- Oral presentation
Plain language summary
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease in many cereal crops worldwide. The primary causative organism, Fusarium graminearum, infects barley kernels during flowering and colonizes the seeds. Besides the yield loss, the fungus produces mycotoxins which affect human and animal health. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the mycotoxin of greatest concern and is known to affect targeted animal organs and systems such as the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system, brain, and immune system. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a cereal crop used for malting, feed, and food. It is ranked at the fourth in worldwide consumption. Barley is an important source of phenolic compounds and fiber that have antioxidant and antiglycemic properties. Among many diseases, FHB is responsible for severe economic losses in barley. This study was focused on utilizing the barley microbiome and its endophytes which play a role in inhibiting F. graminearum. Bacterial seed microbiomes of four barley cultivars: CDC Bold, GB132013, Kutahya and AAC Synergy, from clean and FHB-infected plots from the Brandon Research and Development Centre, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada were examined through meta-sequencing using the 16S rRNA gene. Previously reported genera of endophytic bacteria such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Paenibacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Pantoea and Acinetobacter were present in the seed samples of the current study. Certain isolates of these genera produce important bioactive molecules, and some are even used as biological control. Therefore, an in-depth study of the barley microbiome will reveal their potential roles in FHB management. The findings of this study may also assist in further agricultural and biotechnological applications in other cereal crops.
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease in many cereal crops worldwide. The primary causative organism, Fusarium graminearum, infects barley kernels during flowering and colonizes the seeds. Besides the yield loss, the fungus produces mycotoxins which affect human and animal health. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the mycotoxin of greatest concern and is known to affect targeted animal organs and systems such as the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system, brain, and immune system. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a cereal crop used for malting, feed, and food. It is ranked at the fourth in worldwide consumption. Barley is an important source of phenolic compounds and fiber that have antioxidant and antiglycemic properties. Among many diseases, FHB is responsible for severe economic losses in barley. This study was focused on utilizing the barley microbiome and its endophytes which play a role in inhibiting F. graminearum. Bacterial seed microbiomes of four barley cultivars: CDC Bold, GB132013, Kutahya and AAC Synergy, from clean and FHB-infected plots from the Brandon Research and Development Centre, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada were examined through meta-sequencing using the 16S rRNA gene. Previously reported genera of endophytic bacteria such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Paenibacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Pantoea and Acinetobacter were present in the seed samples of the current study. Certain isolates of these genera produce important bioactive molecules, and some are even used as biological control. Therefore, an in-depth study of the barley microbiome will reveal their potential roles in FHB management. The findings of this study may also assist in further agricultural and biotechnological applications in other cereal crops.