Updated survey of Fusarium species and toxins in Finnish cereal grains

The aim of the project was to produce updated information during 2005–14 on the Fusarium species found in Finnish cereal grains, and the toxins produced by them, as the last comprehensive survey study of Fusarium species and their toxins in Finland was carried out at the turn of the 1960s and the 1970s. Another aim was to use the latest molecular and chemical methods to investigate the occurrence and correlation of Fusarium species and their mycotoxins in Finland. The most common Fusarium species found in Finland in the FinMyco project 2005 and 2006 were F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. poae, F. sporotrichioides and F. langsethiae. F. avenaceum was the most dominant species in barley, spring wheat and oat samples. The occurrence of F. culmorum and F. graminearum was high in oats and barley. Infection by Fusarium fungi was the lowest in winter cereal grains. The incidence of Fusarium species in 2005 was much higher than in 2006 due to weather conditions. F. langsethiae has become much more common in Finland since 2001. F. graminearum has also risen in the order of importance. A highly significant correlation was found between Fusarium graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol (DON) levels in Finnish oats, barley and wheat. When comparing the FinMyco data in 2005–06 with the results of the Finnish safety monitoring programme for 2005–14, spring cereals were noted as being more susceptible to infection by Fusarium fungi and the formation of toxins. The contents of T-2 and HT-2 toxins and the frequency of exceptionally high DON concentrations all increased in Finland during 2005–14. Beauvericin (BEA), enniatins (ENNs) and moniliformin (MON) were also very common contaminants of Finnish grains in 2005–06. Climate change is leading to warmer weather, and this may indicate more changes in Finnish Fusarium mycobiota and toxin contents and profiles in the near future.     

Natural deoxynivalenol occurrence and genotype and chemotype determination of a field population of the Fusarium graminearum complex associated with soybean in Argentina

Soybean (Glycine max L.), the main source of protein throughout the world, is used both as a food and a feedstuff. Currently, limited information about the occurrence of Fusarium species and mycotoxins in soybean grain and by-products is available. The aims of the present study were: (1) to identify toxigenic Fusarium species associated with soybean during crop reproductive stages; (2) to determine the occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) in soybean seeds; (3) to determine the genotype and chemotype of selected Fg complex strains using molecular and chemical analysis, respectively; and (4) to characterize the strains using AFLP_s markers. One soybean field located at Córdoba Province, Argentina, was monitored and samples of soybean tissue were harvested at three reproductive stages: flowering (R2), full seed (R6) and full maturity (R8). A total of 389 Fusarium strains F. equiseti (40%) was the most frequently species recovered followed by F. semitectum (27%) and F. graminearum (Fg) (11%). From the 40 soybean samples analysed, only two presented detectable DON levels. Based on DON occurrence on soybean seeds at ripening stages, the toxigenic ability of Fg complex strains isolated from soybean seeds, pods and flowers were analysed. The trichothecene genotype was determined by a multiplex PCR using primers based on Tri3, Tri5 and Tri7 toxin genes and then the chemotype was verified by chemical analysis. Most Fg complex strains showed 15-ADON genotype and five strains presented a DON/NIV; these also produced both toxins under in vitro culture. Neither the NIV nor the 3-ADON genotypes were detected among the members of the population evaluated. All the 15-ADON genotype strains were characterized as F. graminearum sensu stricto (lineage 7), while the strains presented a DON/NIV genotype were characterized as F. meridionale (lineage 2). The present study contributes new information on the occurrence of Fusarium species and trichothecenes toxins on soybean at the pre-harvest stages. Also, this is the first report on the chemotype, genotype and lineages among Fg complex isolated from soybean.     

Analysis of deoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol-3-glucosides content in Canadian spring wheat cultivars inoculated with Fusarium graminearum

Contamination of wheat grains with Fusarium mycotoxins and their modified forms is an important issue in wheat industry. The objective of this study was to analyse the deoxynivalenol (DON) and deoxynivalenol-3-glucosides (D3G) content in Canadian spring wheat cultivars grown in two locations, inoculated with a mixture of 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON)-producing Fusarium graminearum strains and a mixture of 15-acetlyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON)-producing F. graminearum strains. According to the analysis of variance, significant differences were observed among the cultivars for Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease index, Fusarium-damaged kernel percentage (%FDK), DON content and D3G content. When the effect of chemotype was considered, significant differences were observed for FHB disease index, FDK percentage and DON content. The D3G content and D3G/DON ratio were not significantly different between the chemotypes, except for D3G content at the Winnipeg location. The Pearson correlation coefficient between DON and D3G was 0.84 and 0.77 at Winnipeg and Carman respectively. The highest D3G/DON ratio was observed in cultivars Carberry (44%) in Carman and CDC Kernen (63.8%) in Winnipeg. The susceptible cultivars showed lower D3G/DON ratio compared with the cultivars rated as moderately resistant and intermediate. The current study indicated that Canadian spring cultivars produce D3G upon Fusarium infection.     

Reaction of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars to infection with Fusarium spp.: mycotoxin contamination in grain and chaff

This study compares the susceptibility of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars to Fusarium head blight (FHB) and accumulation of mycotoxins in kernels and chaff under different climatic conditions in two locations–Cerekwica near Poznan (Central West Poland) and Sitaniec, near Zamosc, Lublin region (South East Poland). Very high variations were found in the concentrations of mycotoxins (zearalenone, ZEA; nivalenol, NIV; deoxynivalenol, DON; moniliformin, MON) in examined fractions: Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) and healthy looking kernels (HLK) and in chaff for individual cultivars in both locations. In most cases, significantly higher concentrations of investigated toxins were recorded in wheat from the area of Lublin than from Poznan (p < 0.05). The highest Fusarium infection rates and mycotoxin biosynthesis levels were observed in the Lublin location, with the percentage of the FDK fraction ranging 8.1–81.6. In this region, ZEA concentration (µg g^?1) after inoculation with F. culmorum and F. graminearum ranged from 0.02–0.48 and 0.32–1.04, respectively. In the Poznan area, the toxin concentrations were considerably lower, ranging 0.01–0.10 and 0.03–0.13 µg g^?1 for both isolates, respectively. The concentration of DON was significantly higher than ZEA or NIV levels. The levels of MON accumulation (µg g^?1) in the FDK fraction were between 0.14 and 1.73 (Poznan area) and ND (not detected) to 2.51 (Lublin area). F. avenaceum infection rate ranged 7–35% in samples where the toxin was detected.     

Molecular survey of trichothecene genotypes of Fusarium graminearum species complex from barley in southern Brazil

Fusarium head blight is a disease of primary concern to small-grain cereals of Brazil, including barley. Its main causal agent, Fusarium graminearum species complex (Fg complex)¸ is able to produce mycotoxins, especially deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV), that usually contaminate grain. Strains that produce DON may also produce its acetylated derivatives: 3-acetyl-DON (3-ADON) and 15-acetyl-DON (15-ADON). Ninety two isolates were obtained from samplings of barley grain during three years (2007, 2008 and 2009) from several fields in both southern and northern production regions of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. These isolates were examined for polymerase chain-reaction-based (PCR) trichothecene genotype based on the amplification of portions of Tri3 and Tri12. There was no effect of year or region on the proportion of trichothecene genotypes. Overall, 66% of the strains (61/92) were 15-ADON, 4.4% (4/92) were 3-ADON and 29.3% (27/92) were NIV. The overall NIV/DON ratio estimated (0.41) was five times higher than that found in previous studies with strains from wheat grown in the same region. Species identification of nine strains representing the trichothecene genotypes, based on comparisons of DNA sequences of portions of the PHO, RED and URA genes with sequences from curated reference isolates of Fusarium from GenBank, revealed that they belong to F. graminearum sensu stricto (four 15-ADON and one 3-ADON strain), F. meridionale (three NIV strains) and F. austroamericanum (one 3-ADON strain). These results add to the current regional knowledge of trichothecene genotypes and species within the Fg complex affecting barley in the region.     

Less Fusarium infestation and mycotoxin contamination in organic than in conventional cereals

A total of 602 samples of cereals, consisting of organically and conventionally produced barley, oats and wheat, were collected at harvest during 2002–2004 in Norway. Organic and conventional cereals were sampled in comparable numbers regarding cereal species, localisation and harvest time, and analysed for Fusarium mould and mycotoxins. Fusarium infestation and mycotoxin content were dependent on cereal species and varied year-by-year. However, in all cereal species, Fusarium infestation and levels of important mycotoxins were significantly lower when grown organically than conventionally. Concerning the most toxic trichothecenes, HT-2 and T-2 toxin, lower concentrations were found in organic oats and barley. Wheat was not contaminated by HT-2 and T-2, but lower concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON) and moniliformin (MON) were found when organically produced. For mycotoxins considered to constitute the main risk to humans and animals in Norwegian cereals, i.e. HT-2 in oats and DON in oats and wheat, the median figures (mean levels in brackets) were as follows: HT-2 in organic and conventional oats were <20 (80) and 62 (117) µg/kg, DON in organic and conventional oats were 24 (114) and 36 (426) µg/kg, and DON in organic and conventional wheat were 29 (86) and 51 (170) µg/kg, respectively. Concentrations of HT-2 and T-2 in the samples were strongly correlated (r = 0.94). Other mycotoxins did not show a significant correlation to each other. Both HT-2 and T-2 concentrations were significantly correlated with infestation of F. langsethiae (r = 0.65 and r = 0.60, respectively). Concentrations of DON were significantly correlated with F. graminearum infestation (r = 0.61). Furthermore, nivalenol (NIV) was significantly correlated with infestation of F. poae (r = 0.55) and MON with F. avenaceum (r = 0.37). As lower Fusarium infestation and mycotoxin levels were found in organic cereals, factors related to agricultural practice may reduce the risk of contamination with Fusarium mycotoxins. Studies of these issues will be presented separately.     

The use of a CYP51C gene based PCR-RFLP assay for simultaneous detection and identification of Fusarium avenaceum and F. tricinctum in wheat

Contamination of cereals with mycotoxins such as beauvericin (BEA), enniatins (Ens) and moniliformin (MON) is mainly caused by Fusarium avenaceum and F. tricinctum. This is a world-wide problem which requires rapid and sensitive detection methods. To allow for high throughput screening of large numbers of samples, a diagnostic PCR method was developed for the simultaneous detection of F. avenaceum and F. tricinctum. The interspecific divergence found in the Fusarium-specific CYP51C gene was used to design species-specific PCR primers. The specificity of the assay was demonstrated for DNA samples extracted from a wide range of Fusarium species belonging to the Fusarium head blight (FHB) complex, as well as for naturally-infected grain samples. The PCR-amplified products were digested with the restriction enzyme XbaI to enable differentiation between F. avenaceum and F. tricinctum. This PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay proved to be a simple and relatively inexpensive method highly suited for routine detection and identification of F. avenaceum and F. tricinctum in wheat samples.     

Solid substrate bioassay to evaluate impact of Trichoderma on trichothecene mycotoxin production by Fusarium species

BACKGROUND: Fusarium head blight of wheat is a destructive disease in various wheat‐growing regions and leads to significant yield losses for farmers and to contamination of cereal grains with mycotoxins, mainly deoxynivalenol and its derivatives. Toxigenic Fusarium species sporulate on cereal crop residues and produce significant inoculum for epidemics. Reduction of mycotoxin production and pathogen sporulation may be influenced by saprophytic fungal antagonists. RESULTS: Trichoderma isolates were examined in dual culture bioassays on rice with two isolates of Fusarium graminearum Schwabe and two isolates of Fusarium culmorum (W.G. Smith) Saccardo, belonging to three different chemotypes. Production of five trichothecene mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), 3‐acetyl‐deoxynivalenol (3AcDON), 15‐acetyl‐deoxynivalenol (15AcDON), nivalenol (NIV) and fusarenone X (FUS), was reduced by over 95%. Two Trichoderma isolates partially reduced the amounts of four metabolites when inoculated on autoclaved cultures of the same four Fusarium isolates. However, in the case of the 15AcDON chemotype of F. culmorum culture the content of DON increased and that of 15AcDON decreased. Isolates of Trichoderma varied in their ability to inhibit production of the five trichothecene mycotoxins by Fusarium. Susceptibility of the four Fusarium isolates to antagonistic activity of the same Trichoderma isolate differed significantly. CONCLUSION: Selected non‐toxigenic Trichoderma isolates proved to be useful biocontrol agents against toxigenic Fusarium pathogens of wheat, significantly reducing production of the trichothecene mycotoxins DON, NIV and their acetylated derivatives. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Trichothecene genotypes and chemotypes in Fusarium graminearum strains isolated from wheat in Argentina

Argentina is the fourth largest exporter of wheat in the world. The main pathogen associated with Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) of wheat in Argentina is Fusarium graminearum lineage 7 also termed F. graminearum sensu stricto in the F. graminearum species complex, which can produce the Type B trichothecenes, usually deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated forms (3-ADON and 15-ADON) or nivalenol (NIV). We used a multiplex PCR assay of Tri3, Tri7, and Tri13 to determine the trichothecene genotype of 116 strains F. graminearum collected from three locations in Argentina and then verified the chemotype by chemical analysis. PCR assays and chemical analyses gave the same results for all strains that produced trichothecenes. Most strains (> 92%) had the 15-ADON genotype, with the remaining strains having the DON/NIV genotype. We observed neither the NIV nor the 3-ADON genotypes amongst the strains evaluated. The nine strains with the DON/NIV genotype produced DON when analyzed chemically. Thus, the Argentinean populations of F. graminearum are similar to those from wheat elsewhere in the world, in that all the strains produced DON/15-ADON and belong to lineage 7. However approximately 8% of the strains tested were incorrectly diagnosed as DON/NIV producers with the current multiplex PCR and were only DON producers by chemical analysis.     

Genotyping and phenotyping of Fusarium graminearum isolates from Germany related to their mycotoxin biosynthesis

Fusarium graminearum is the most important pathogen causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) of small cereal grains worldwide responsible for quantitative and qualitative yield losses. The presence in crops is often associated with mycotoxin contamination of foodstuff limiting its use for human and animal consumption. A collection of isolates of F. graminearum from Germany was characterized genetically and chemically for their potential to produce the B trichothecenes deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). Molecular methods with eight PCR assays were implemented based on functional Tri7 and Tri13 genes and on the tri5-tri6 intergenic region to differentiate between chemotaxonomic groups DON and NIV, resulting in a marked majority (61/63) of DON chemotypes. Mycotoxins produced on rice kernels were quantified by means of LC-MSMS including DON, NIV, 3-acetyl-DON (3-ADON), 15-acetyl-DON (15-ADON), DON-3-glucoside, fusarenon X, as well as zearalenone; all of them proving to be present in high concentration among the isolates. All DON-chemotype isolates also produced lower amounts of NIV with the amount being positively correlated (R² = 0.89) to the DON amount. 15-ADON and 3-ADON are reported to be produced simultaneously by the isolates, the former dominating over the latter in all but one isolate. Fungal biomass, was quantified via ergosterol amount on rice. It was used to calculate specific mycotoxin production per biomass of isolates, ranging from 0.104 to 1.815 mg DON mg-1 ergosterol, presenting a Gaussian distribution. Genotype and phenotype characterization revealed discrepancies with respect to mycotoxin production potential of the fungi, i.e. isolates from one chemotype were able to produce mycotoxins from other chemotypes in considerable amounts.     

Suitability of a range of Fusarium species to sustain populations of three stored product mite species (Acari: Astigmata)

Fusarium fungi continue to grow and produce mycotoxins in grain that has been poorly managed after harvesting. Such grain is also often infested by storage mites. Mites are able to feed on fungi and they also interact with both fungi and mycotoxins. Mite interactions with 10 species of Fusarium fungi, four of which are represented by two strains were studied. The fungi were isolated from different crops in the Czech Republic. Tyrophagus putrescentiae mites were able to feed and reproduce on all tested Fusarium strains. Microanatomical observations of T. putrescentiae specimens feeding on Fusarium poae, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium avenaceum showed intense consumption. Acarus siro, and Lepidoglyphus destructor mites showed negative growth rates on Fusarium. The growth rate of T. putrescentiae differed when grown on different Fusarium species. The following categories of Fusarium suitability to support mite growth were determined: (i) highly suitable (F. verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum), (ii) suitable (e.g., F. culmorum, Fusarium solani and F. avenaceum) and (iii) lowly suitable (e.g., Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium sporotrichioides, F. poae and Fusarium graminearum). The effect of grazing of mites on Fusarium species was tested on oatmeal agar plates. The grazing of T. putrescentiae destroyed mycelium of 11 Fusarium strains after three weeks. A. siro and L. destructor grazing damaged four and two strains, respectively. During grazing, T. putrescentiae, for example, could disseminate fungi throughout the stored grain. Consequently in improperly stored grain, the interactions between T. putrescentiae and Fusarium fungi can influence both pests and also the production of hazardous compounds.     

Effect of fungicides on the development of Fusarium head blight,yield and deoxynivalenol accumulation in wheat inoculated under field conditions with Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum

The effect of different fungicide treatments on Fusarium head blight (FHB) development, grain yields and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation in wheat was evaluated after artificial inoculation under field conditions with a mixture of Fusarium graminearum and F culmorum. The trials were carried out using commercially available products on five different cultivars of soft and durum wheat (Serio, Genio, Bracco, Duilio and Orobel) in two separate experimental fields located in the North of Italy. Treatments with Tiptor^® S (cyproconazole plus prochloraz) and a mixture of Horizon^® 250 EW (tebuconazole) plus Amistar^® 250 SC (azoxystrobin) significantly reduced the FHB disease severity (by between 25 and 77%) and DON content (by between 32 and 89%) in the grain as compared with the inoculated control. Yields (tonne ha^?1) and thousand grain weight (TGW) were higher in plots subjected to fungicide treatments. Tetraconazole (Eminent^® 40 EW) showed a markedly reduced effectiveness compared with the other treatments. Regression analysis showed a strong correlation of disease severity with DON levels (positive correlation) and with yields or TGW (negative correlation) for individual cultivars and locations. Fusarium graminearum, F culmorum and F poae were the species most commonly isolated from all trials, including inoculated and non‐inoculated control plots. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Natural deoxynivalenol occurrence and genotype and chemotype determination of a field population of the Fusarium graminearum complex associated with soybean in Argentina

Soybean (Glycine max L.), the main source of protein throughout the world, is used both as a food and a feedstuff. Currently, limited information about the occurrence of Fusarium species and mycotoxins in soybean grain and by-products is available. The aims of the present study were: (1) to identify toxigenic Fusarium species associated with soybean during crop reproductive stages; (2) to determine the occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) in soybean seeds; (3) to determine the genotype and chemotype of selected Fg complex strains using molecular and chemical analysis, respectively; and (4) to characterize the strains using AFLP(s) markers. One soybean field located at Córdoba Province, Argentina, was monitored and samples of soybean tissue were harvested at three reproductive stages: flowering (R2), full seed (R6) and full maturity (R8). A total of 389 Fusarium strains F. equiseti (40%) was the most frequently species recovered followed by F. semitectum (27%) and F. graminearum (Fg) (11%). From the 40 soybean samples analysed, only two presented detectable DON levels. Based on DON occurrence on soybean seeds at ripening stages, the toxigenic ability of Fg complex strains isolated from soybean seeds, pods and flowers were analysed. The trichothecene genotype was determined by a multiplex PCR using primers based on Tri3, Tri5 and Tri7 toxin genes and then the chemotype was verified by chemical analysis. Most Fg complex strains showed 15-ADON genotype and five strains presented a DON/NIV; these also produced both toxins under in vitro culture. Neither the NIV nor the 3-ADON genotypes were detected among the members of the population evaluated. All the 15-ADON genotype strains were characterized as F. graminearum sensu stricto (lineage 7), while the strains presented a DON/NIV genotype were characterized as F. meridionale (lineage 2). The present study contributes new information on the occurrence of Fusarium species and trichothecenes toxins on soybean at the pre-harvest stages. Also, this is the first report on the chemotype, genotype and lineages among Fg complex isolated from soybean.     

Effect of fungal strain and cereal substrate on in vitro mycotoxin production by Fusarium poae and Fusarium avenaceum

Single conidia strains of Fusarium poae and Fusarium avenaceum were investigated for their ability to synthesise mycotoxins in vitro. In a first experiment, rice was inoculated with three strains of F. poae and three strains of F. avenaceum. In a second experiment, the same strains were cultivated on four different cereal substrates. For both experiments, the colonised substrates were analysed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS) for the content of Fusarium mycotoxins. On rice, a strong effect of strains on mycotoxin content was found. With the analyses of different cereal types, substantial substrate effects were observed. For F. poae, these effects were highly dependent on the strain. The results of this study are of benefit for risk assessment concerning naturally infected grain samples since substrate effects could also be triggered by different cereal species or varieties, and thus could lead to variable mycotoxin contamination in cereal products intended for human consumption.     

Fusarium head blight and associated mycotoxin occurrence on winter wheat in Luxembourg in 2007/2008

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is among the major causes of reduced quality in winter wheat and its products. In addition, the causal fungi produce a variety of toxins. A relatively high FHB infection rate in winter wheat was observed in 2007 and 2008 in Luxembourg. A fusariotoxin survey was carried out in 17 different geographical locations. Three groups of Fusarium mycotoxins (trichothecenes A and B and zearalenone) were analysed by a multi-detection HPLC–MS/MS method. Fusarium strains were also investigated by morphological and molecular methods. In addition, questionnaires relating to cultural practices were sent to the farmers managing the 17 fields investigated. FHB prevalence ranged from 0.3 to 65.8% (mean: 8.5%) in 2007 and from 0 to 24.5% (mean: 8.3%) in 2008. Results of morphological and molecular identification showed that the most common species isolated from diseased wheat spikes was F. graminearum (33.1%), followed by F. avenaceum (20.3%) and F. poae (17.8%). The chemical analysis revealed that 75% of the investigated fields were contaminated by deoxynivalenol (DON, range 0–8111 µg/kg). The preceding crop was highly and significantly correlated to the number of grains infected and had a significant impact on disease prevalence (p = 0.025 and 0.017, respectively, Fisher's F-test). A trend was found for maize as the preceding crop (p = 0.084, Tukey's test) to predict the amount of DON in the fields. This is the first report on the occurrence of DON and ZON in naturally infected wheat grains sampled from Luxembourg.     

Quantification of Fusarium poae DNA and associated mycotoxins in asymptomatically contaminated wheat

Recent surveys have identified increased predominance of Fusarium poae causing FHB (Fusarium Head Blight) of wheat in Europe. Several studies revealed a correlation between levels of F. poae DNA and nivalenol (NIV) and enniatins (ENNs) in highly contaminated cereal grain. In this study, F. poae specific TaqMan assays and mycotoxin analysis were performed on 48 asymptomatically contaminated wheat grain samples obtained from six different locations in northern Poland in 2006 and 2007. TaqMan assays revealed the presence of F. poae DNA in all samples analyzed, however the amounts of target DNA between the samples differed. Mycotoxin analysis revealed the presence of 13 toxins in the grain analyzed, however only ENN B and B1 were detected at quantifiable concentrations. A significant positive correlation was revealed between F. poae DNA (R = 0.75) and monthly mean rainfalls recorded in May (a month before wheat anthesis) in both years. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between levels of ENN B+B1 (R = 0.49) and rainfalls in May, however, no correlation was found between the quantity F. poae DNA and the level of ENN B+B1. This paper confirms the increasing importance of F. poae in the FHB complex of wheat in Poland.     

Mycotoxins in cereal grain Part 14. Histochemical examination of fusarium-damaged wheat kernels

Wheat kernels with visible Fusarium-damage, naturally infected, have been examined with histochemical techniques to observe mycelium growth inside kernels and change in kernels cells. Kernels infected with F. culmorum were found to be damaged more extensively, comparatively to those infected with F. graminearum, F. avenaceum and F. nivale/(Microdochium nivale). Growth of Fusarium mycelium was most abundant between pericarp and aleurone layer and alongside of scutellum. Mycelium colonized also endosperm and embryo — both plumula and radicula.     

Influence of agronomic and climatic factors on Fusarium infestation and mycotoxin contamination of cereals in Norway

A total of 602 samples of organically and conventionally grown barley, oats and wheat was collected at grain harvest during 2002–2004 in Norway. Organic and conventional samples were comparable pairs regarding cereal species, growing site and harvest time, and were analysed for Fusarium mould and mycotoxins. Agronomic and climatic factors explained 10–30% of the variation in Fusarium species and mycotoxins. Significantly lower Fusarium infestation and concentrations of important mycotoxins were found in the organic cereals. The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2) constitute the main risk for human and animal health in Norwegian cereals. The impacts of various agronomic and climatic factors on DON and HT-2 as well as on their main producers F. graminearum and F. langsethiae and on total Fusarium were tested by multivariate statistics. Crop rotation with non-cereals was found to reduce all investigated characteristics significantly – mycotoxin concentrations as well as various Fusarium infestations. No use of mineral fertilisers and herbicides was also found to decrease F. graminearum, whereas lodged fields increased the occurrence of this species. No use of herbicides was also found to decrease F. langsethiae, but for this species the occurrence was lower in lodged fields. Total Fusarium infestation was decreased with no use of fungicides or mineral fertilisers, and with crop rotation, as well as by using herbicides and increased by lodged fields. Clay and to some extent silty soils seemed to reduce F. graminearum in comparison with sandy soils. Concerning climate factors, low temperature before grain harvest was found to increase DON; and high air humidity before harvest to increase HT-2. F. graminearum was negatively correlated with precipitation in July but correlated with air humidity before harvest. F. langsethiae was correlated with temperature in July. Total Fusarium increased with increasing precipitation in July. Organic cereal farmers have fewer cereal intense rotations than conventional farmers. Further, organic farmers do not apply mineral fertiliser or pesticides (fungicides, herbicides or insecticides), and have less problem with lodged fields. The study showed that these agronomic factors were related to the infestation of Fusarium species and the concentration of mycotoxins. Hence, it is reasonable to conclude that farming system (organic versus conventional) impacts Fusarium infestation, and that organic management tends to reduce Fusarium and mycotoxins. However, Fusarium infestation and mycotoxin concentrations may be influenced by a range of factors not studied here, such as local topography and more local climate, as well as cereal species and variety.     

Fusarium DNA traceability along the bread production chain

Wheat grain contamination with toxigenic Fusarium spp. is of great economic concern to cereal producers and to the grain processing industry and is of great relevance for the quality and safety of the final products. In particular, the bread production chain can potentially be a vehicle for mycotoxin ingestion above the tolerable total daily intake. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction‐based analytical approach has been developed as a possible tool to estimate and control the risk of mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON). This DNA‐based analytical method has been applied to detect and quantify contamination levels of Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum in naturally infected wheat grain samples. The persistence of Fusarium contamination was also detected along the bread production chain in wholemeal, flour and bread. A significant correlation was found between Fusarium DNA and DON concentration in all samples.     

Production of mycotoxins byFusarium species isolated in Germany

Summary Cultures ofFusarium tricinctum 434 formed large amounts of the trichothecene mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (AcDON), as well as the macrocyclic secondary metabolite zearalenone on moistened, autoclaved maize, rice and oats. The formation of zearalenone was low, with levels from 15 to 72 mg/kg as compared to the trichothecene production with maximum quantities of 917 mg/kg of AcDON on rice and 750 mg/kg DON on oats. In the cultures ofF. graminearum 183, total mycotoxin amounts found were lower, with maximum levels of zearalenone up to 150 mg/kg and AcDON up to 160 mg/kg on rice. DON, however, was produced in quantities of about 740 mg/kg on rice.

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Produktion von Mykotoxinen durch in Deutschland isolierte Fusarium-Arten1. Zeitverlauf der Deoxynivalenol-, 3-Acetyldeoxynivalenol-, und Zearalenon-Bildung auf festen Substraten

Zusammenfassung Kulturen vonFusarium tricinctum 434 bildeten auf feuchtem, autoklaviertem Mais, Reis bzw. Hafer relativ hohe Mengen der Trichothecen-Mykotoxine Deoxynivalenol (DON) und 3-Acetyldeoxynivalenol (AcDON) sowie das zu den makrocyclischen Lactonen zählende Mykotoxin Zearalenon. Die Zearalenonbildung war mit Werten von 15 bis 72 mg/kg gegenüber der Trichothecenproduktion mit maximal 917 mg/kg AcDON auf Reis und 750 mg/kg DON auf Hafer deutlich niedriger. In den Kulturen vonF. graminearum 183 wurden insgesamt geringere Toxinmengen gefunden mit maximalen Zearalenon-konzentrationen bis zu 150 mg/kg sowie AcDON Mengen bis zu 160 mg/kg auf Reis. Dagegen erreichte die DON-Bildung auf Reis 740 mg/kg.