A groundbreaking study published in Agriculture (2025) presents an integrated approach to combating Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a destructive pathogen responsible for white mold in oilseed rape. The research investigated the combined effects of the beneficial fungi Trichoderma asperellum and Coniothyrium minitans, along with selected synthetic fungicides.
Laboratory tests showed that T. asperellum completely inhibited the growth of S. sclerotiorum mycelium, particularly when paired with triazole and strobilurin fungicides. Field experiments conducted across two growing seasons confirmed that pre-sowing treatments of T. asperellum and C. minitans, followed by targeted fungicide sprays during flowering, reduced infection by up to 100%, while significantly boosting yield and seed oil content.
The research highlights that integrating biological control agents with reduced fungicide use forms a sustainable plant protection model aligned with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. This approach reduces chemical dependency, mitigates risks of fungicide resistance, and supports environmental health—vital considerations under ongoing climate change pressures that intensify fungal threats to global crops.
Reference
Danielewicz, J., Jajor, E., Horoszkiewicz, J., Korbas, M., Sobiech, Ł., Grzanka, M., Sawinska, Z., Bocianowski, J., & Cholewa, J. (2025). Combined Biological and Chemical Control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Oilseed Rape in the Era of Climate Change. Agriculture, 15(20), 2147. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202147
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