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 comprise a first strain and a second strain of the one or more heterothallic filamentous fungi, each strain comprising a lineage of low mycotoxin production or no mycotoxin production,
• wherein the first strain comprises a MAT1-1 mating type and the propagules are sclerotia and the second strain comprises a MAT1-2 mating type and the propagules are conidia, or wherein the first strain comprises a MAT1-1 mating type and the propagules are conidia and the second strain comprises a MAT1-2 mating type and the propagules are sclerotia, and
• wherein the amount of propagules of the at least two strains of the one or more heterothallic filamentous fungi is effective to promote mating between compatible mating partners in the field population and the at least two strains, thereby increasing the ratio of strains having the lineage of no or low mycotoxin production in the field population of the one or more heterothallic filamentous fungi and reducing mycotoxin production by the field population of the one or more heterothallic filamentous fungi.