Endophytic microbial biocontrol solutions for fusarium suppression and diversified cropping systems

Overview

This solution offering centers on a library of approximately 2,000 endophytic bacterial strains isolated from corn and wheat, of which roughly 50 have demonstrated the ability to suppress Fusarium graminearum in laboratory screening. The platform targets a major agricultural challenge: Fusarium head blight and the associated mycotoxin contamination that threatens cereal grain quality, safety, and market value. Endophytes can be delivered as foliar sprays or seed coatings, offering flexible integration into existing crop management programs. Beyond biocontrol, the research explores drought-tolerant millet varieties as a post-winter wheat crop for grain production, forage, and soil cover, supporting cropping system diversification and climate resilience.

Technical specifications

Biocontrol platform:

• Library of ~2,000 endophytic strains sourced from corn and wheat
• ~50 strains confirmed to suppress Fusarium graminearum in vitro
• Delivery formats under development: foliar sprays and seed coatings
• Target outcome: reduced disease pressure and lower mycotoxin accumulation
• Validation pipeline: in vitro screening completed, greenhouse testing underway, field trials planned

Endophyte-mediated plant immunity concept:

• Endophytes function analogously to immune cells, sensing, seeking, and neutralizing pathogens
• Supported by published research on root hair-endophyte stacking mechanisms that create physico-chemical barriers against fungal pathogens
• Further investigation using confocal microscopy to characterize plant-microbe-pathogen interactions

Millet cropping system:

• Four African and Asian millet varieties plus one additional genotype under field evaluation in Ontario, Canada
• Short-duration, drought-tolerant crops suited as post-winter wheat options
• Applications include grain, forage, and soil cover benefits
• Field trials in progress with 20 genotypes per crop targeted over 2–3 years

Technology readiness level

The biocontrol component is at an early-to-mid development stage. In vitro anti-Fusarium screening is complete, greenhouse validation is currently underway, and field trials are planned for the following season. Disease scoring and mycotoxin evaluation protocols are established for both greenhouse and field phases. The millet cropping system research is at a more advanced field validation stage, with ongoing multi-year trials across multiple genotypes. Prior endophyte strains from this research group have already progressed through field testing, indicating a track record of advancing candidates beyond laboratory evaluation.