In a Nordic program in the mid 90ties, Clonostachys rosea ‘IK726’ was identified by the Danish partner as a potential biocontrol agent against Fusarium culmorum causing diseases on wheat and barley.
The fungus was isolated from barley roots in Denmark. Since then ‘IK726’ has proven efficient in controlling several plant diseases. Examples are diseases caused by pathogen species of Fusarium, Pythium, Botrytis, Alternaria, Tilletia and Bipolaris. Research work has included isolation, screening, selection, production, formulation and delivery of ‘IK726’ as well as efficacy testing under field and greenhouse conditions. Elements of risk assessments and EU registration of BCAs have also been addressed.
Biocontrol interactions are studied using DNA reporter technology (GFP, DsRed etc.), fluorescent microscopy, gene knock outs, quantitative PCR and methods in evolutionary genetics. IK726 have now been genome sequenced using Solexa sequencing Solexa and analysis of several transcriptomes of ‘IK726’ in different biocontrol interactions are under way. Exploiting ‘IK726’ for biological disease control in practice will be addressed in collaboration with the agro industry and end users.
A new project starting January 2013 and funded by the research council Formas is intitled: “Consortia of biological control organisms formulated for improving plant health - a novel technology for sustainable crop”. In this we will look at the possibility to combine C. rosea with other BCAs and in this way obtain additive, synergistic or complementary effects in biocontrol of several diseases in a plant crop.