Researchers identify wheat‑seed fungus that suppresses Septoria tritici blotch

The fungus, Chaetomium globosum, was isolated from wheat seeds and shown to curb STB, a disease that can halve yields in severe outbreaks.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:27:37 GMT

Researchers have discovered that a naturally occurring fungus living inside wheat seeds can markedly suppress Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a disease that threatens wheat yields across Northern Europe.

What happened

The team evaluated 45 different fungal endophytes—organisms that live inside plants without causing damage—to pinpoint a strain capable of limiting STB. The screening singled out Chaetomium globosum, a fungus previously recorded in cotton, hemp, apples and tobacco, as the most potent. In greenhouse trials the fungus cut leaf‑area lesions by roughly 74 % and reduced the formation of spore‑producing structures by about 82 % on the most susceptible wheat variety.

What the reports add

Both Independent and Standard note that this is the inaugural identification of C. globosum inside wheat seeds.
The articles stress that the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Denmark face heightened risk because their cool, humid climate favours STB outbreaks.
They point out that reliance on synthetic fungicides is increasingly untenable due to rising pathogen resistance and mounting environmental and cost concerns.
Dr Angela Feechan of Heriot‑Watt University explained that the fungus appears to act in three ways: it triggers the plant’s innate immune response, it releases antifungal compounds that directly attack Zymoseptoria tritici, and it may promote growth by producing ammonia and the hormone auxin.
Laboratory work showed that a liquid culture of the fungus inhibited spore germination by more than 80 % and that spraying the preparation onto infected plants further lowered disease severity.

What was said

“STB is a huge problem and a real threat to global food security,” Dr Amir Mirzadi Gohari told Independent.

“Farmers currently rely on chemical fungicides to control the disease. But it is becoming incredibly resistant to these treatments, and there are growing concerns about the environmental and financial costs of spraying wheat crops,” he added, as reported by both outlets.

“Finding a naturally occurring fungus that fights this pathogen could be a huge step forward; it’s a very exciting discovery,” Gohari said to Standard.

Dr Angela Feechan told Independent, “As a fungus, it puts the plant’s defences on alert and its immune system kicks in, similar to how vaccines work in humans.”

She continued, “We also found that it secretes antifungal compounds that attack rival fungi, like Zymoseptoria tritici.”

How it came about

The investigation builds on earlier research that explored endophytic fungi as biocontrol agents in crops such as cotton and hemp. By extending the search to wheat seeds, Dr Gohari’s group uncovered C. globosum and demonstrated its potential to reduce dependence on chemical fungicides, aligning with broader efforts to develop sustainable disease‑management strategies for wheat production.

Key facts

Chaetomium globosum was identified inside wheat seeds for the first time. (independent.co.uk)
The fungus significantly suppresses Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in laboratory tests. (independent.co.uk)
STB can cut wheat yields by up to 50% in severe outbreaks. (standard.co.uk)
Northern Europe’s main wheat producers – UK, Germany, France, Denmark – are most affected by STB. (independent.co.uk)