Mycotoxins produced by toxic Fusarium isolates obtained from agricultural and nonagricultural areas (Arctic) of Norway

Twenty-five isolates of F. acuminatum, 38 of F. avenaceum, 1 of F. culmorum, 31 of F. oxysporum and 56 of F. sambucinum were obtained in 1983, 1984 and 1986 from cereal grains and soil from various parts of Norway. The isolates were grown on an autoclaved Uncle Ben's parboiled rice medium and examined for production of trichothecenes and other toxins and for toxicity in rat feeding tests. F. culmorum N46C(2) and Fusarium sambucinum 45-86-A produced zearalenone (F-2) 864 and 665 ppm, respectively and caused uterine enlargement in rats. Most of these isolates produced no known trichothecene mycotoxins that could account for the toxicity that was demonstrated in the rat feeding tests. All but F. avenaceum N26B produced fusarin C (1.5 ppm) but caused no toxic effects in rat feeding test. None of the isolates produced fusarochromanone (TDP-1). Thirteen isolates of F. acuminatum, 16 of F. avenaceum, 14 of F. oxysporum and 3 of F. sambucinum produced a cytotoxic factor which we named HM-8. One isolate of F. avenaceum, 12 of F. oxysporum and 46 of F. sambucinum produced a hemorrhagic factor which we named H-1 (wortmannin). Twenty isolates of F. acuminatum, 22 of F. avenaceum, 17 of F. oxysporum and 1 of F. sambucinum produced moniliformin. Four isolates of F. acuminatum, 9 of F. avenaceum, 25 of F. oxysporum and 52 of F. sambucinum caused death to rats. Three isolates of F. avenaceum, 19 of F. oxysporum and 47 of F. sambucinum induced hemorrhage in various organs. All isolates caused decreased weight gain, relative to the control diets.     

Mycotoxin production by Fusarium species isolated from New Zealand maize fields

Forty Fusarium isolates obtained from maize fields were screened for moniliformin production on maize kernels. Twelve isolates, including seven of F. subglutinans, were found to produce moniliformin at levels ranging from 0.4 to 64 ppm. Twenty six isolates were also screened for production of deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone. Of these, 22, including all 11 isolates of F. graminearum, produced zearalenone at levels ranging from 0.1 to 96.0 ppm, while 13 produced T-2 toxin at low levels, (<1.1 ppm). Deoxynivalenol and diacetoxyscirpenol were each produced by six isolates, also at low levels (<1.0 ppm). Three isolates of F. graminearum and one of F. sambucinum produced four toxins simultaneously.     

Preservation of fungi in water (Castellani): 20 years

Sixty-two isolates of Fusarium were obtained from pasture grass and soil from various areas of New Zealand and identified as F. anthophilum [2], F. avenaceum [17], F. crookwellense [8], F. culmorum [4], F. graminearum [1], F. nivale [3], F. oxysporum [3], F. sambucinum [17], F. semitectum [1], F. tricinctum [1] and an unidentified Fusarium spp. [5]. These isolates were grown on autoclaved rice and tested for toxicity to rats in feeding tests. Eighty two percent of the isolates were toxic, of which twenty-four percent were severely toxic and caused hemorrhages of stomach and intestine, hematuria, and finally death. Cultures of the most toxic isolates contained 0.1 to 104 ppm of deoxynivalenol, 0.7 and 7 ppm of 15- and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol respectively, 0.2 to 4 ppm of fusarenon- X, 11 to 1021 ppm zearalenone, 40 to 272 ppm of the hemorrhagic factor (wortmannin), 2,100 to 7,200 ppm of moniliformin, 565 ppm of the cytotoxic factor (HM-8) and enniatin in substantial concentrations. F. sambucinum is reported as a moniliformin producer for the first time.     

Evaluation of trichothecene and nontrichothecene mycotoxins produced byFusarium in soybeans

Each of 12 cultures ofFusarium, comprising four species, isolated from moldy soybeans suspected of being involved in illness of wild geese, were grown separately in autoclaved moist rice, in autoclaved moist soybeans, and in surface sterilized-disinfected soybeans, assayed for various mycotoxins, and fed to rats. Four additional cultures that produced known toxins on rice were also grown on soybeans as controls. All isolates, except one ofF moniliforme, grown in rice resulted in weight loss of rats, and that one resulted in weight gain; 12 of the isolates caused death. One isolate ofF poae grown in soybeans caused death when consumed by rats, but none of the other 15 resulted in weight loss or overt injury. Much larger amounts of zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin, neosolaniol, T-2 tetraol, wortmannin, and moniliformin were produced by the cultures on rice than on soybeans, but more HT-2 toxin was produced by one isolate ofF poae grown on soybeans than when grown on rice. Soybeans appear to be a poor substrate for elaboration of most of the toxins produced by the isolates tested.     

Occurrence of moniliformin,deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

Forty-eight durum wheat samples from 5 locations in Austria were examined forFusarium infection andFusarium toxin content.F.gramlnearum andF.avenaceum were by far the prevailingFusarium species In durum wheat kernels, followed byEpoae, F.culmorum, andF.equlsetl. Ion-paired HPLC analyses of the samples showed moniliformin contents of kernels up to 0.88 mg/kg. All moniliformin contaminated samples also contained high levels of deoxynivalenol (up to 8.2 mg/kg) and lower levels of zearalenone (<0.33 mg/kg). The levels of zearalenone in naturally contaminated durum wheat samples did not correspond to the high yields of zearalenone found in cultures of the fusaria isolated from the durum wheat kernels. These conflicting results as well as some toxicologlcal aspects of the carry over ofFusarium toxins from durum wheat kernels into pasta are discussed.     

Occurrence of toxigenic strains of Fusarium in maize and barley in Germany

Summary A survey was made of maize and barley in Germany for the occurrence of toxigenic strains of Fusarium and of the mycotoxins produced in culture by these strains.The following 6 species of Fusarium were found: F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F.oxysporum, F. poae, and F. tricinctum. The species most commonly isolated from bird-damaged maize ears was F. avenaceum while F. culmorum was consistently isolated from maize stem rot. The predominant species in barley grain was F. poae while F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, and F. tricinctum were also isolated frequently.Cultures on autoclaved maize of all the Fusarium strains were assayed for toxicity by feeding to 1-day-old chickens for 14 days. Some strains of F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, and F. oxysporum proved to be acutely toxic to chickens and caused mortality as well as marked reductions in weight gain and feed consumption. All the strains of F. poae and F. tricinctum had a low degree of toxicity.Culture material of all the strains were analyzed for the presence of 11 known Fusarium mycotoxins. The following 4 mycotoxins were detected in the strains examined: moniliformin in 9 out of 9 F. avenaceum strains (2 to 760 ppm) and in the single strain of F. oxysporum (1150 ppm); zearalenone in 4 out of 5 F. culmorum strains (320 to 1400 ppm); deoxynivalenol in 3 out of 5 F. culmorum strains.(1 to 15 ppm); and acetyldeoxynivalenol (1 to 2 ppm) in 3 out of 5 F. culmorum strains. This is the first report of moniliformin production by F. avenaceum and F. oxysporum and also the first report of the occurrence of moniliformin-producing Fusarium strains in Europe.     

Absence of trichothecenes in toxigenic isolates of Fusarium moniliforme

Thirty-four isolates of Fusarium moniliforme were obtained from cereal grains collected in various parts of the world. The isolates were grown on rice and tested as a diet for toxicity to rats. Of these isolates, 53% caused death, 12% caused congestion and hemorrhage of the stomach and intestine as well as hematuria, 21% caused diarrhea, 38% caused weight loss, and 9% were nontoxic. The cultures were tested to T-2, HT-2, neosolaniol, acetyl-T-2, T-2-tetraol, iso-T-2, diacetoxyscirpenol, monoacetoxyscirpenol, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone-X, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, zearalenone, moniliformin, fusarochromanone, fusarin-C, and wortmannin; all were negative. In addition, F. moniliforme NRRL A25820 was grown on corn and banana fruit as solid substrates as well as on a defined liquid medium; none of the above toxins were found. When F. moniliforme NRRL A25820 was incorporated into a rat diet, no toxicity was noted. Twenty-eight additional isolates of F. moniliforme, isolated from feed associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia, were grown on cracked corn for 2 weeks. The cultures were negative when tested for deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, monoacetoxyscirpenol, nivalenol, and fusarenone X. Seventy-five percent of the isolates were toxic to ducklings, indicating the presence of a toxin other than trichothecenes. Our results support the conclusion that F. moniliforme does not produce trichothecenes.     

Production of fusarenon-X,nivalenol, and zearalenone by Gibberella zeae isolates,and their toxicity in fibroblasts and rats

Three isolates ofGibberella zeae, the perfect stage ofFusarium graminearum, were isolated from ground corn cultures obtained from Taiwan in 1985 and identified asGibberella zeae l-1, G. zeae I-5, andG. zeae l-7. The isolates were grown on a solid rice medium and extracts prepared with 75% aqueous methanol. The extracts were examined for toxicity in the following systems: (1) cytotoxicity to cultured normal human diploid skin fibroblasts and mouse fibroblasts; and (2) toxicity to rats of unextracted cultures. The three extracts were highly cytotoxic as indicated by the ability to cause death and disintegration of 3T3 Swiss mouse fibroblasts and human diploid skin fibroblasts during 3 to 4 days in culture. The unextracted cultures of the isolates were highly toxic to rats, causing hemorrhage of tissues (bladder, stomach, and intestine), uterine enlargement, small thymuses, small spleens, weight loss, and death. The extracts were tested for production of trichothecenes (nivalenol and fusarenon-X) and zearalenone on rice grains. Production of the three mycotoxins was greater at room temperature than in the cold room. Detection of the three mycotoxins from the cultures was variable, ranging from 273 to 817ppm for nivalenol, 268 to 662 ppm for fusarenon-X, and 162 to 1095 ppm for zearalenone at room temperature, and 159 to 413 ppm for nivalenol, 113 to 125 ppm for fusarenon-X and 44 to 202 ppm for zearalenone in the cold room (10°C).     

Toxin production by Fusarium species from sugar beets and natural occurrence of zearalenone in beets and beet fibers.

Fifty-five Fusarium isolates belonging to nine species were collected from fungus-invaded tissue of stored sugar beets and identified as F. acuminatum (11 isolates), F. avenaceum (1 isolate), F. culmorum (1 isolate), F. equiseti (23 isolates), F. graminearum (4 isolates), F. oxysporum (1 isolate), F. solani (4 isolates), F. sporotrichioides (7 isolates), and F. subglutinans (2 isolates). All isolates were cultured on autoclaved rice grains and assayed for toxicity by feeding weanling female rats the ground-rice cultures of the isolates in a 50% mixture with a regular diet for 5 days. Fifty-eight percent of the isolates were acutely toxic to rats, 26% caused hematuria, 18% caused hemorrhages, and 29% caused uterine enlargement. In most cases, toxicity could not be accounted for by the known toxins found. The following mycotoxins were found in extracts of the rice cultures: zearalenone (22 to 6,282 micrograms/g), chlamydosporol (HM-8) (68 to 4,708 micrograms/g), moniliformin (45 to 400 micrograms/g), deoxynivalenol (10 to 34 micrograms/g), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (5 to 10 micrograms/g), diacetoxyscirpenol (22 to 63 micrograms/g), monoacetoxyscirpenol (21 to 26 micrograms/g), scirpenetriol (24 micrograms/g), T-2 toxin (4 to 425 micrograms/g), HT-2 toxin (2 to 284 micrograms/g), neosolaniol (2 to 250 micrograms/g), and T-2 tetraol (4 to 12 micrograms/g). F. equiseti was the predominant species found on visibly molded beets in the field. Six of 25 moldy sugar beet root samples collected in the field contained zearalenone in concentrations ranging between 12 and 391 ng/g, whereas 10 samples from commercial stockpiles were negative for zearalenone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Toxin production by Fusarium species from sugar beets and natural occurrence of zearalenone in beets and beet fibers.

Fifty-five Fusarium isolates belonging to nine species were collected from fungus-invaded tissue of stored sugar beets and identified as F. acuminatum (11 isolates), F. avenaceum (1 isolate), F. culmorum (1 isolate), F. equiseti (23 isolates), F. graminearum (4 isolates), F. oxysporum (1 isolate), F. solani (4 isolates), F. sporotrichioides (7 isolates), and F. subglutinans (2 isolates). All isolates were cultured on autoclaved rice grains and assayed for toxicity by feeding weanling female rats the ground-rice cultures of the isolates in a 50% mixture with a regular diet for 5 days. Fifty-eight percent of the isolates were acutely toxic to rats, 26% caused hematuria, 18% caused hemorrhages, and 29% caused uterine enlargement. In most cases, toxicity could not be accounted for by the known toxins found. The following mycotoxins were found in extracts of the rice cultures: zearalenone (22 to 6,282 micrograms/g), chlamydosporol (HM-8) (68 to 4,708 micrograms/g), moniliformin (45 to 400 micrograms/g), deoxynivalenol (10 to 34 micrograms/g), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (5 to 10 micrograms/g), diacetoxyscirpenol (22 to 63 micrograms/g), monoacetoxyscirpenol (21 to 26 micrograms/g), scirpenetriol (24 micrograms/g), T-2 toxin (4 to 425 micrograms/g), HT-2 toxin (2 to 284 micrograms/g), neosolaniol (2 to 250 micrograms/g), and T-2 tetraol (4 to 12 micrograms/g). F. equiseti was the predominant species found on visibly molded beets in the field. Six of 25 moldy sugar beet root samples collected in the field contained zearalenone in concentrations ranging between 12 and 391 ng/g, whereas 10 samples from commercial stockpiles were negative for zearalenone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Incidence ofFusaria and occurrence of selected Fusarium mycotoxins on Lolium spp. in Germany

Test plantings with varieties ofLolium multiflorum andL perenne were harvested 4 to 7 times a year in 1991 and 1992. Samples were checked for the presence ofFusaria, the mycotoxins zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS). Spectrum of species and the incidence ofFusaria and fusariotoxins are discussed in relation to the influencing factors site, variety ofLolium, harvesting time and year. Depending on these factors, 41 % to 100 % of the samples wereFusarium positive. Differences in infestation with Fusarium among varieties ofLolium perenne were dependent on location and did not correlate with yield. The six species ofFusarium pathogenic toLolium spp. (F. graminearum, F. culmorum, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. solani, and F. acuminatum) totaled 35.7 % of all the isolated strains. 14 species could be isolated fromLolium samples (descending frequency):F. culmorum, F. sambucinum, F. equiseti, F. acuminatum, F. semitectum, F. oxysporum, F. subglutinans, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides, F. proliferatum, F. tricinctum, F. anthophilum, F. dimerum and F. graminearum. For the detection ofFusaria a promising new immunological method is presented. It is based on the genus specific production of exopolysaccharides byFusarium species. Mycotoxin contents in grass ranged from 0.01 to 4.75 ppm for zearalenone with 67 % positive samples and 0.3 % samples above 1 ppm, 0.04 to 2.78 ppm for T-2 toxin with 25 % positive samples and 2.8 % samples above 1 ppm, and 0.003 to 0.06 for DAS with 21.6 % positive samples. In silages, no T-2 toxin was detectable. IsolatedFusarium strains were checked for the ability to produce the mycotoxins zearalenone, T-2 toxin and DAS in culture. Most of the strains were positive for at least one of the toxins.     

Fusarium poae and Fusarium crookwellense, Fungi Responsible for the Natural Occurrence of Nivalenol in Hokkaido

To determine the reasons for the natural occurrence of nivalenol in the northernmost area of Japan, scabby wheat was harvested from 19 crop fields in Hokkaido. Mycological surveys and analysis for mycotoxin contamination were performed. Among 13 wheat grain samples harvested in seven locations, 9, 2, and 6 samples were positive for deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, and zearalenone, respectively, at levels ranging from 0.03 to 1.28 μg/g, 0.04 to 1.22 μg/g, and 2 to 25 ng/g, respectively. The predominant Fusarium species of the scabby wheat examined were F. sporotrichioides, F. avenaceum, F. poae, and F. crookwellense. Fifteen of 48 F. poae isolates and all four F. crookwellense isolates were screened for the production of seven derivatives of trichothecenes and zearalenone respectively, on rice culture. One isolate of F. poae produced diacetoxyscirpenol alone (4.3 μg/g); seven produced nivalenol (1.3 to 23.8 μg/g), 4-acetylnivalenol (0.1 to 4.6 μg/g), and diacetoxyscirpenol (0.9 to 99.5 μg/g); and five produced nivalenol alone (0.4 to 3.5 μg/g). The remaining two isolates produced no trichothecenes. Zearalenone production was not found in any isolate of F. poae tested. All isolates of F. crookwellense produced nivalenol (0.9 to 22.5 μg/g), 4-acetylnivalenol (0.5 to 25.0 μg/g), and zearalenone (1.4 to 162.5 μg/g). From these results, it is apparent that deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, and occasionally nivalenol, occur naturally throughout Hokkaido, and it is suggested that nivalenol-producing F. poae and F. crookwellense strains are responsible for the natural contamination with nivalenol found in the northernmost area of Japan. Furthermore, it was found for the first time that several isolates of F. poae distributed in Hokkaido possessed the ability to produce both type A and type B trichothecenes.     

Nivalenol production by<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium poae</Emphasis>

Fusarium sp. were isolated from Swedish nivalenol containing grain and tested for toxin production. OnlyF. poae, 6 of 10 isolates, produced nivalenol. Highest production (44.7 μg/g) was obtained cultured on rice during 4 week at room temperature and under near UV-light. FiveF. poae isolates from other countries did not produce nivalenol but T-2/HT-2 toxin. One Swedish isolate produced both types of trichothecenes. Treatment with fungicides in aF. poae infected experimental field reduced the nivalenol concentration in the harvested grain.     

Mycotoxin Production by Fusarium proliferatum isolates from rice with Fusarium sheath rot disease

Twenty samples of unpolished (rough) rice collected in Arkansas and Texas during the 1995 harvesting season from fields exhibiting Fusarium sheath rot disease or panicle blight were previously shown to include 8 samples positive for fumonisin B₁(FB₁) in the range 2.2–5.2 ppm, and moniliformin (MON), but no beauvericin (BEA), deoxynivalenol, its derivatives or zearalenone were detected. Fifteen cultures of F. proliferatum were established from the 20 rough rice samples. Single spore isolates of each culture were grown on rice and tested for the production of fumonisins (FB₁, FB₂, FB₃, etc.), MON and BEA. All 15 isolates produced FB₁, FB₂, MON and BEA in culture on rice. No deoxynivalenol, its derivatives orzearalenone were detected. Seven cultures produced FB₁ at >50ppm (range 80–230 ppm), with therest producing FB₁ in the range 14–43 ppm.FB₂ was produced in the range 5–47 ppm, and those cultures which produced the most FB₁ also produced the most FB₂. Of the 15 cultures producing MON, 11 produced it at >100 ppm in the range 188–6018 ppm, with the rest producing in the range 7–64 ppm. BEA was produced in the range 109–1350 ppm. Other derivatives of fumonisins, including FA₁, FA₂ and partially hydrolyzed FB₁, as well asseveral unknown metabolites including a compound with MW 414, were identified in culture extracts by continuous flow fast atom bombardment with ion spraymass spectrometry (CF/FAB/MS). Further study is needed to identify the factors that control production of FB₁, MON and BEA by F.proliferatu in culture and in field samples. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Identification of deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and zearalenone in the galactose oxidase-producing fungus Dactylium dendroides

The galactose oxidase-producing fungus Dactylium dendroides was re-identified as a Fusarium species. Fungi of this genus are well known for the production of mycotoxins. Verification of growth of this fungus on rice, corn and liquid medium described for the production of galactose oxidase is provided to determine whether the fungus could produce Fusarium toxins, namely, moniliformin, fusaric acid, fumonisin, zearalenone and the trichothecenes, deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, fusarenone, nivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol, and toxin T-2. Under the culture conditions used, deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and zearalenone were detected in the fungal culture medium. The finding is consistent with the hypothesis that the fungus is in fact a Fusarium species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Chemical and physiological characterization of taxa in theFusarium sambucinum complex

Forty-one isolates ofFusarium sambucinum sensu lato were screened for production of secondary metabolites in agar cultures. Of 16 strains ofF. sambucinum sensu stricto all but two strains produced diacetoxyscirpenol and two unidentified metabolites, TB1 and TB2 respectively. The two remainingF. sambucinum strains produced T-2 toxin, TB1 and TB2.Fusarium venenotum (6 strains) produced diacetoxyscirpenol and an unidentified metabolite BB.Fusarium torulosum (8 strains) produced wortmannin and antibiotic Y. The three species could be differentiated by their pattern of identified and unidentified metabolites detected by agar plug TLC combined with chemical data from HPLC-diode array detection of fungal extracts, and data on growth rates on potato sucrose agar and tannin sucrose agar.     

Moniliformin production by fusarium species

A total of 132 Fusarium isolates belonging to 19 species sensu Nelson et al (1983) originating from Poland, Italy, and international cultures collections were examined for their ability to produce mycotoxin moniliformin. Moniliformin was produced by the following isolates:

—F acuminatum Ell & Ev: 2 out of 2,130 – 2670mg/kg

—F avenaceum (Fr) Sacc 18 out of 18,70 – 2670mg/kg

—F anthophilum (A Braun) Wollenw. 1 out of 3, 200mg/kg

—F dlamini Marasas et al: 2 out of 3,130 – 470mg/kg

—F oxysporum Schlecht emend Snyd Hans: 4 out of 9,130 – 270 mg/kg

—F proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg: 3 out of 7,130 – 400 mg/kg

—F solani (Mart) Appel & Wollenw: 1 out of 14,670 mg/kg

—F subglutinans (Wollenw & Reinking) Nelson et al: 8 out of 20,70 – 1660 mg/kg

—F tricinctum (Corda) Sacc: 2 out of 9,130 – 1330 mg/kg

In cultures ofF beomiforme Nelson, Toussoun & Burgess,F chlamydosporum Wollenw & Reinking,F compactum I Wollenw/ Gordon, F equiseti /Corda/Sacc,F poae I Peck / Wollenw,F moniliforme Sheldon,F napiforme Marasas, Nelson & Rabie,F nygamai Burgess & Timbold,F poly phialidicum Marasas et al,F sporotrichioides Sherb moniliformin was not detected. The highest amounts of moniliformin byF avenaceum using solid substrate were formed on rice and lower on oats kernels.     

Production of zearalenone,T-2 toxin,and deoxynivalenol by Fusarium spp. isolated from plant materials grown in North Carolina

Fusarium spp. isolated from plant materials grown in the hot, humid climate of North Carolina were tested for production of mycotoxins. Isolates of F. acuminatum, F. graminearum, F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, and F. solani produced zearalenone while isolates of F. equiseti and F. graminearum produced T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol, respectively. This is the first report of zearalenone production by F. solani. The toxins were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These findings suggest that there are toxigenic strains of Fusarium indigenous to the warmer regions of the USA and that fasariotoxicoses of animals in this region are not necessarily the result of importing toxic grains from the cooler, upper midwestern USA.Paper No. 8953 of the Journal Series of North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, North Carolina. The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service of the product named nor criticism of similar ones not mentioned.     

Toxigenic Fusarium species infecting wheat heads in Poland

Toxigenic Fusarium species are common pathogens of wheat and other cereals worldwide. In total, 449 wheat heads from six localities in Poland, heavily infected with Fusarium during 2009 season, were examined for Fusarium species identification. F. culmorum was the most common species (72.1% on average) with F. graminearum and F. avenaceum the next most commonly observed, but much less frequent (13.4 and 12.5% respectively). F. cerealis was found in 1.8% of all samples, and F. tricinctum was found only in one sample (0.2%). Subsequent quantification of the three major mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and moniliformin) in grain and chaff fractions with respect to associated prevailing pathogen species uncovered the following patterns. Moniliformin (MON) was found in low amounts in all samples with F. avenaceum present. In contrast, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) were the contaminants of F. culmorum- and F. graminearum-infected heads. The highest concentration of DON was recorded in grain sample collected in Radzików (77 µg g^?1). High temperatures in Central Poland during July and August accompanied with high rainfall in July were responsible for this high DON accumulation. Trichothecene, zearalenone, enniatin and beauvericin chemotypes were identified among 21 purified isolates using gene-specific PCR markers.     

Moniliformin and the European Corn Borer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ostrinia nubilalis</Emphasis>)

A representative survey was made of maize ears of the 1988 and 1989 crop in Austria to establish the influence of corn borer injuries onFusarium species involved in ear fusariosis andFusarium toxin production.TheFusarium species most frequently isolated from rot-damaged ears wereFsacchari var. subglutinans (about 50 %) andF. graminearum (about 30 %). There was a striking difference between theFusarium species of the Liseola and the Discolor section concerning their occurrence on corn borer-damaged ears. More than 80 % of the ears infected withF. sacchari var. subglutinans andF. verticillioides, but less than 15 % of the ears infected withF. graminearum, F. crookwellense andF. culmorum showed corn borer injuries.Toxin analyses of the infected ears corresponded to the known toxigenicity of the respectiveFusarium species. Ears infected withF. sacchari var. subglutinans contained moniliformin (up to 20 mg/kg), those infected withF. verticillioides fumonisin B₁ and B₂ (up to 15 mg/kg). In ears infected withF. graminearum, F. culmorum andF. crookwellense zearalenone (up to 40 mg/kg) and deoxynivalenol (up to 500 mg/kg) or nivalenol (up to 10 mg/kg), respectively, could be detected. Hence measures to combat the European corn borer will mainly reduce moniliformin and fumonisin contamination, but will affect zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and nivalenol contents of the ears to a much lesser extent.