Fusarium species and fumonisins associated with maize kernels produced in Rio Grande do Sul State for the 2008/09 and 2009/10 growing seasons

Abstract

Ear rots caused by Fusarium spp. are among the main fungal diseases that contribute to poor quality and the contamination of maize grains with mycotoxins. This study aimed to determine the visual incidence of fungal-damaged kernels (FDKs), the incidence of two main Gibberella (a teleomorph of Fusarium) complexes (G. fujikuroi and G. zeae) associated with maize using a seed health blotter test, and the fumonisin levels, using high performance liquid chromatography, in samples of maize grains grown across 23 municipalities during the 2008/09 and 2009/10 growing seasons. Additionally, 104 strains that were representative of all of the analysed samples were identified to species using PCR assays. The mean FDK was seven per cent, and only six of the samples had levels greater than six per cent. Fusarium spp. of the G. fujikuroi complex were present in 96% of the samples, and G. zeae was present in 18% of the samples (5/27). The mean incidence of G. fujikuroi was 58%, and the incidence of G. zeae varied from 2 to 6%. FB1 was found in 58.6%, FB2 in 37.9%, and both toxins in 37.9% of the samples. The FB1 and FB2 levels were below the quantification limits for 41.3% of the samples, and the mean FB1 levels (0.66 μg/g) were higher than the mean FB2 levels (0.42 μg/g). The PCR identification separated the 104 isolates into three of the G. fujikuroi complex: F. verticillioides (76%), F. subglutinans (4%) and F. proliferatum (2%); and G. zeae (anamorph = F. graminearum) (18%). Our results confirmed the dominance of F. verticillioides, similar to other regions of Brazil, but they differed due to the relatively higher incidence of F. graminearum. Total fumonisin levels were below the maximum limit determined by current Brazilian regulations.

Fusarium Species from the Fusarium fujikuroi Species Complex Involved in Mixed Infections of Maize in Northern Sinaloa, Mexico

“…Interestingly, none of the isolates were identified as either F. proliferatum or F. subglutinans. These two species have been widely reported along with F. verticillioides, especially on maize ears in different regions of Mexico (Figueroa-Rivera et al 2010;Reyes-Vel azquez et al 2011) and worldwide (Chehri 2011;Zainuddin et al 2011;Zhang et al 2012;Stumpf et al 2013).…”

Características patogênicas de isolados do complexo Fusarium graminearum e de Fusarium verticillioides em sementes e plântulas de milho

“…Já F. graminearum é mais frequente em milho no sul do Brasil, quando comparado à região central do país, possivelmente pela maior quantidade de inóculo, uma vez que no sul é comum a sucessão trigo-milho (STUMPF et al, 2013;CASA et al, 1998). Dois estudos de levantamento de espécies e genótipos toxigênicos do complexo Fg, por métodos moleculares, em grãos do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (STUMPF et al, 2013) e do Brasil Central (SILVA, 2011), foi observado um predomínio de F. meridionale em relação à F. graminearum s.s. com os mesmos genótipos tricoteceno ocorrentes em trigo.…”

The Reaction of some Maize Hybrids, Created at ARDS TURDA, to Fusarium spp. Infection

“…The rot of the cob, produced by various patho gens, including species of Fusarium, leads to a poor quality production and can result in the contamination of the kernels with mycotoxins, which poses a threat to the health of both human and animals (Logrieco et al, 2002;Munkvold, 2003 , quoted by Stumpf, et al, 2013). Fusarium species produce a large number of mycotoxins (Deoxinevalenol, Zearalenone, Nivalenol, Fumonisin) which can be found in the corn caryo pses or in products derived from there.…”

“…The following characteristics have been analyzed: the corn cob fusariosis expressed by diseased kernels (%); yield capacity expressed in kg/ha with 85%, d.w.; content of starch (%), protein (%), fat (%); determination of mycotoxins content via the HPLCR method (Stumpf, et al, 2013).…”