Abstract
The levels of fumonisins (FUMO)—mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides—in maize for food and feed are subject to European Union regulations. Compliance with the regulations requires the targeting of, among others, the agroclimatic factors influencing fungal contamination and FUMO production. Arvalis-Institut du végétal has created a national, multiyear database for maize, based on field survey data collected since 2003. This database contains information about agricultural practices, climatic conditions and FUMO concentrations at harvest for 738 maize fields distributed throughout French maize-growing regions. A linear mixed model approach highlights the presence of borers and the use of a late variety, high temperatures in July and October, and a water deficit during the maize cycle as creating conditions favoring maize contamination with Fusarium verticillioides. It is thus possible to target a combination of risk factors, consisting of this climatic sequence associated with agricultural practices of interest. The effects of the various possible agroclimatic combinations can be compared, grouped and classified as promoting very low to high FUMO concentrations, possibly exceeding the regulatory threshold. These findings should facilitate the creation of a national, informative and easy-to-use prevention tool for producers and agricultural cooperatives to manage the sanitary quality of their harvest.
Highlights
France is the second largest producer of maize in Europe, with a harvest of more than 12.5 million tons from an area of 1.4 million hectares in 2019 [1]
Key Contribution: This study, reports for the first time a FUMO prevention tool including both agronomic and climatic factors; and integrating the amplifying effect of water stress. This one makes it possible to combine the various crop systems and climatic conditions occurring in France into a single prevention tool
This multiyear study of the effects of more than 400 climatic variables on FUMO contamination risk during the maize development cycle revealed a main effect of temperature, for the mean temperatures of two key months: July and October (p-value < 0.001 for both, analyses of variance (ANOVA))
Summary
France is the second largest producer of maize in Europe, with a harvest of more than 12.5 million tons from an area of 1.4 million hectares in 2019 [1]. Maize is commonly contaminated with mycotoxins produced by fungi. The presence of these mycotoxins is associated with economic losses due to decreases in crop yields, a loss of crop value, effects on animal productivity, and health impacts. FUMO management requires a multifaceted approach including a preharvest strategy for preventing the production of FUMO or mitigating their effects [4]. Such a preharvest strategy requires the identification of risk factors influencing the contamination and production of FUMO by F. verticillioides in the field, which can be targeted
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