Experiment I

Fusarium Head Blight of wheat 

(FHB wheat - 2023)

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum and related species, is a severe wheat disease with significant impacts on yield and grain quality. This study, conducted over two cropping seasons (2021-2022, 2022-2023), evaluated the biocontrol efficacy of Trichoderma gamsii T6085 and developed a rapid, eco-friendly method for early detection and monitoring of FHB using hyperspectral measurements in field conditions. In randomized plots, field trials included six treatments applied to two wheat cultivars (FHB-susceptible vs. resistant). Artificial inoculations with Fusarium spores were performed after T6085 or chemical treatments to compare their effects on suppressing the disease and protecting the wheat crop. Specifically, this field trial aimed to (i) assess the impact of Trichoderma gamsii T6085 on FHB infection and (ii) develop an eco-friendly, non-destructive, rapid method for early detection and monitoring of FHB in wheat using hyperspectral vegetation measurements under open field conditions.

Remote-level: Hyperspectral imaging from UAV was used to study wheat health and detect stress induced by the pathogen during field experiments in Pisa, Italy, in June 2023. Data were collected using a specialized hyperspectral scanner mounted on a drone, capturing detailed reflectance information. Measurements were collected from two small areas on each leaf and averaged, with additional data collected at the canopy level. This approach helped link plant health to spectral data, enabling better detection of stress and disease.

Ground-level: Leaf reflectance profiles were collected using a full range (350-2500 nm) ASD Field-Spec 4 HR spectroradiometer (Analytical Spectral Devices, Boulder, CO, USA), provided with a plant probe including an internal halogen light source and assembled with a leaf-clip. Two randomly selected areas (∅ 1 cm) of the adaxial surface of each leaf were investigated, with one measurement per area, and collections were averaged for each leaf. In addition, spectra were collected at canopy level using a pistol grip. The relative leaf reflectance was determined by dividing the leaf radiance by the radiance of a white reference panel included in the leaf-clip, which was collected every 10 spectral measurements, instead for canopy’s analysis, the white reference was collected on a Spectralon® Diffuse Reflectance Targets (Labsphere, INC. North Sutton, NH 03260 US). All spectral analyses and calculations were performed on untransformed reflectance profiles (only spectral jump correction and data interpolation were carried out). Four spectra per plant were measured at both leaf and canopy level: overall, 1,068 and 604 leaf and canopy samples were collected, respectively.