Population genetics approach to biological control of mycotoxin production

A biocontrol method for reducing mycotoxin production in a field population of one or more heterothallic filamentous fungi, the method comprising:

• applying a biocontrol composition to a plant, a plant part and/or a soil, the biocontrol composition comprising an effective amount of propagules of at least two strains of the one or more heterothallic filamentous fungi,
• wherein the at least two strains of the one or more heterothallic filamentous fungi comprises four strains, a first strain, a second strain, a third strain and a fourth strain, each strain comprising a lineage of low mycotoxin production or no mycotoxin production,
• wherein the first and second strains are from the same species and the third and fourth strains are from the same species, and the first and third strains are each from the same genus/species or a different genus/species, and the second and fourth strains are each from the same genus/species or a different genus/species,
• wherein the first and third strains further comprise a MAT1-1 mating type and the second and fourth strains further comprise a MAT1-2 mating type, and
• wherein the amount of propagules of the first strain, second strain, third strain and fourth strain is effective to promote mating between compatible mating partners in the field population and the four strains, thereby increasing the ratio of strains having the lineage of no mycotoxin production or low mycotoxin production in the field population of the heterothallic filamentous fungi and reducing mycotoxin production by the field population of the heterothallic filamentous fungi.