The biological characterization of Microdochium majus, M. nivale, and M. seminicola strains with wide geographical origins showed the diversity of their pathogenic properties and metabolite compounds, allowing them to exist in their habitats. Significant differences in the ability of Microdochium fungi to cause lesions on wheat and oat leaves were found. The intensity of symptoms depended on the species and substrate origin of the strains. On average M. seminicola strains were able to cause less leaf necrosis than M. majus and M. nivale. The volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of Microdochium fungi included 29 putative fungal metabolites. The spectrum of the identified VOCs in M. seminicola strains was much richer than that in M. majus and M. nivale strains. In addition, the strains of M. seminicola emitted at least six sesquiterpenes. Mycotoxin analysis by HPLC/MS/MS revealed that the analyzed Microdochium strains did not produce any toxic metabolites typically produced by filamentous fungi.
Keywords: Microdochium; VOCs emission; fungi; mycotoxins production; pathogenicity.
© 2020 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.