Abstract
Ear rot is a serious disease that affects maize yield and grain quality worldwide. The mycotoxins are often hazardous to humans and livestock. In samples collected in China between 2009 and 2014, Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum species complex were the dominant fungi causing ear rot. According to the TEF-1α gene sequence, F. graminearum species complex in China included three independent species: F. graminearum, F. meridionale, and F. boothii. The key gene FUM1 responsible for the biosynthesis of fumonisin was detected in all 82 F. verticillioides isolates. Among these, 57 isolates mainly produced fumonisin B1, ranging from 2.52 to 18,416.44 µg/g for each gram of dry hyphal weight, in vitro. Three different toxigenic chemotypes were detected among 78 F. graminearum species complex: 15-ADON, NIV and 15-ADON+NIV. Sixty and 16 isolates represented the 15-ADON and NIV chemotypes, respectively; two isolates carried both 15-ADON and NIV-producing segments. All the isolates carrying NIV-specific segment were F. meridionale. The in vitro production of 15-ADON, 3-ADON, DON, and ZEN varied from 5.43 to 81,539.49; 6.04 to 19,590.61; 13.35 to 19,795.33; and 1.77 to 430.24 µg/g of dry hyphal weight, respectively. Altogether, our present data demonstrate potential main mycotoxin production of dominant pathogenic Fusarium in China.
Highlights
Fusarium spp. are among the most important pathogenic fungal communities affecting crops.These fungi can induce serious diseases on roots, stems, leaves, and fruits, resulting in huge economic losses
Many pathogenic Fusarium spp. can be found causing maize ear rot in China, but the majority of isolates are determined to be F. verticillioides and Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC)
According to the frequency of the isolation of these species from different regions, maize ear rot is most commonly caused by F. verticillioides, followed by FGSC
Summary
Fusarium spp. are among the most important pathogenic fungal communities affecting crops. These fungi can induce serious diseases on roots, stems, leaves, and fruits, resulting in huge economic losses. Maize ear rot caused by Fusarium spp. affects maize production and kernel quality. The disease occurs in many countries; in recent years, it has gradually expanded because of global warming [1,2,3]. In addition to causing ear rot and reducing yield, Fusarium spp. produce mycotoxins that are directly synthesized in kernels and accumulated there, seriously threatening the health of both humans and livestock [4,5,6]. The most common Fusarium toxins are deoxynivalenol (DON) and the fumonisins
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