Factors affecting the production of zearalenone by Fusarium graminearum in grain

Abstract

Abstract The effects of moisture content, incubation period and temperature on zearalenone production by Fusarium graminearum (W.G. Smith) Sacc. I.M.I. 155426 has been investigated in wheat, barley and oats. Toxin production was achieved on wheat with a moisture content of 37 per cent which had been incubated for 4 weeks at 25°C plus 6 weeks at 12°C. Growth at the lower temperature after a period at 25°C appeared to enhance zearalenone production. In a further experiment this was found to be only the case when the fungus had become well established on the grain at 25°C. The rate of zearalenone production varied according to incubation conditions, the greatest being in cultures transferred to 12°C.