Pathogenicity and Zearalenone Production by Different Fusarium graminearum Isolates in Artificially Infected Wheat Grain

Abstract

Nine Fusarium graminearum isolates were investigated for their pathogenicity on wheat ears and zearalenone production. The investigated isolates originated from different geographical regions and included representatives of Group 1 and Group 2 of F. gramineraum species. Among these isolates significant differences in pathogenicity were found. Groups 1 and 2 included isolates with higher and lower pathogenicity. 44,4% of the isolates produced zearalenone in artificially infected wheat grains at concentrations ranging from 203 to 431 µg/kg. Isolates of both groups are capable of zearalenone synthesis.