Biological seed treatment of cereals with fresh and long-term stored formulations of Clonostachys rosea: Biocontrol efficacy against Fusarium culmorum

In six field experiments, seed treatment with Clonostachys rosea (IK726) significantly reduced disease caused by Fusarium culmorum. IK726 was active against the pathogen at average soil temperatures at sowing ranging from 6.2 to 12 degrees C. Both in the field experiments and in growth chamber experiments conducted in sand, dried and stored conidia of IK726 controlled F. culmorum as effectively as freshly harvested conidia. A high correlation was found between disease index ratings from field experiments and from corresponding growth chamber sand tests. Amendment with the stickers Pelgel or Sepiret did not influence control activity. The effective dosages of IK726 (cfu/seed) were estimated in bioassays and were very similar for freshly harvested conidia and for dried conidia. With a density of > 5x10(3) conidia per seed more than 80% disease control was repeatedly obtained with both types of conidia.