Detection of fungal infectous agent of wheat grains in store-pits of Markazi province, Iran

Wheat is an economic and important crop that provides approximately 20% of food calorie in the world. It is first crop in Iran and cultivated in the most areas of this country. Store-pit fungi make undesirable changes in quality and appearance of wheat grains. Even, some fungi produce different mycotoxins which are toxic to human and livestock's that use wheat grains as source of food. In this study, several samples were randomly collected from each of five store-pits located in different areas of Markazi Province including: Arak, Mahallat, Khomein, Saveh and Sarband. Grains were treated on PDA, and blotter, agar and washing test also used for isolating and detection of fungi. At least 100 grains per each sample were randomly used for each test and treatment. The fungi that determined in this study were Cochliobolus australiensis, Cladosporium herbarum, Epicoccum sp., Tilletia leavis, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria sp., Penicillium italicum, P. digitatum, Fusarium sp., Rhizopus sp., Ustilago tritici, Scytalidium sp. Among these fungi the most isolates were belonged to Cladosporium, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Fusarium. Cladosporium herbarum was the most common in different sampling areas. Tilletia laevis and Ustilago tritici were just recovered in washing test. This study revealed that different fungi are associated with wheat grains in store-pits in Markazi Province. Some of them like Aspergillus flavus normally produce aflatoxin, a very toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin that is harmful for human.