Efficacy of zinc compounds in controlling Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol formation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

• ZnO at NP size was effective for control of Fusarium in wheat plant cultivation.
• Zn-compound application in the wheat plant increased Zn residual in the grains.
• Zn residual is according to upper limit for human daily consumption according to international regulations.
• ZnSO4 showed efficiency to reduce the mycotoxin level only but not the fungi infection.
• ZnO-NP treatment reduced totally the DON formation.

The efficiency of zinc compounds (zinc sulfate, ZnSO4 and zinc oxide, ZnO in regular and nanosize, respectively) on wheat plants was evaluated against growth of Fusarium graminearum and DON formation. In addition, any possible effects on the grain microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the remaining residue of Zn on wheat plants was analyzed. The plants were inoculated with F. graminearum and treated with Zn compounds (100 mM) onto spikelets at the anthesis stage. When wheat plants reached maturation, grains were harvested and evaluated for Fusarium (number of colonies, CFU/g), DON formation, and SEM observation, followed by determination of possible remaining Zn residue. The groups treated with ZnSO4 and ZnO-NP showed a reduction in number of CFU of F. graminearum when compared to the control. Similarly for DON formation, i.e. the toxin was reduced to non-detected levels in the treated group. ZnO-NP efficiently reduced F. graminearum and DON formation in the grains at low concentration. Zn remained within the international recommended level for consumption and the treatment did not cause any damage to wheat grains. New strategies of control using Zn compounds in addition to conventional treatments could increase the efficiency against FBH and DON formation.