Fungi of the Fusarium genus in the grains of conventional hybrids and transgenic Bt-hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.) in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Fungi of the Fusarium genus, the agent of ear rot in maize, not only causes decrease in yields but also negatively aff ects grain quality and, in relation to mycotoxins production, the health of humans and animals. This study focuses on determining the species range of Fusarium fungi in naturally infected stands of conventional hybrids and transgenic Bt-hybrids of maize in the Czech Republic during 2008 and 2009. Individual species of the Fusarium genus were determined on the basis of morphological characteristics and using polymerase chain reaction. Ten mycotoxigenic species were identifi ed in hybrid maize grains: F. subglutinans (40

Influence of growing Bt maize on Fusarium infection and mycotoxins content - a review

“…The YieldGard-brand (i.e. GMO-modified for ECB control) hybrids yielded on average 2.33 t/ha more fresh-cut material with 37.46% average dry matter, while the corn borer infestation rate was 0.58 larvae per plant for the conventional hybrids and its occurrence was zero for the GMO hybrids (Nedělník 2010 (Kmoch et al 2011).…”

“…(F. culmorum, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum). The differences between the infections of conventional and transgenic kernels depended on the species of fungus (Table 1) (Kmoch et al, 2011).…”