Utilization of a Novel Soil-Isolated Strain Devosia insulae FS10-7 for Deoxynivalenol Degradation and Biocontrol of Fusarium Crown Rot in Wheat

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most widespread mycotoxin contaminant hazardous to human and animal health globally. It acts as a crucial virulence factor to stimulate the spread of pathogenic Fusarium within wheat plants. Control of DON and Fusarium disease contributes enormously to food safety, which relies on chemical fungicides. Here, we report the biodegradation of DON using a novel soil bacterium, Devosia insulae FS10-7, and its biocontrol effect against Fusarium crown rot. We demonstrated that strain FS10-7 degraded DON to 3-epi-DON by forming a 3-keto-DON intermediate. Such degradation activity can be maintained at a wide range of pH (4 to 10) and temperature (16 to 42°C) values under aerobic conditions. Notably, strain FS10-7 exhibited practical inhibitory effects on Fusarium crown rot disease caused by F. graminearum and F. pseudograminearum in the in vitro Petri dish test under laboratory conditions and the pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. The mechanisms underlying the biocontrol ability of strain FS10-7 were preliminarily investigated to be associated with its high DON-degrading activity rather than direct antagonism. These results establish the foundation to develop further bioagents capable of biodegrading mycotoxins in cereals and derived products and, accordingly, biocontrol plant diseases caused by DON-producing pathogens.