Beneficial seed fungus shows promise in battling wheat’s destructive Septoria blotch

A naturally occurring endophytic fungus, Chaetomium globosum, was found inside wheat seeds and shown to dramatically curb Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a major wheat pathogen. Amir Mirzadi Gohari’s group screened 45 seed-borne fungi and selected this strain because it reduced leaf lesions by 74% and lowered spore-producing structures by 82% in highly susceptible wheat varieties. Co-author Angela Feechan explained that the fungus activates the plant’s immune response, secretes antifungal metabolites, and may enhance growth by producing ammonia, auxin, and facilitating iron uptake.

Laboratory sprays inhibited spore germination by more than 80% and lowered disease severity in greenhouse trials. The researchers have sequenced the fungus’s genome to pinpoint the responsible genes and are planning field trials to evaluate seed-coating or spray formulations. Funding came from the Iran National Science Foundation, and the results were published in Scientific Reports.