Abstract
Testing Fusarium resistance to ear rots in maize requires a well-supported methodology and tests for toxin responses. In this study, commercial hybrids were tested for resistance to Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum, and Fusarium verticillioides (kernel and silk channel), as well as their toxin response. One third of the hybrids tested showed a similar resistance or susceptibility to the three pathogens and their toxin response, but there is no proof for their genetic background being the same or different. The performance of the remaining hybrids was highly variable and supports the idea of different genetic regulation. The mean ear rot severity of the kernel resistance was doubled compared with the silk channel resistance data. The ear rot and toxin tests displayed significant positive correlations, verifying the decisive role of resistance in toxin regulation. Several hybrids, termed toxigenic hybrids, showed significant extra toxin production, indicating an additional food safety risk. The toothpick method gave more reliable results and a better differentiation of genotypes. The resistance to different Fusarium spp. in a specific growing region should be analyzed separately in independent resistance tests. Through this, the food safety risks could be better identified. Susceptible hybrids should not be used for commercial production.
Highlights
Toxigenic fungal species occur across the globe, wherever maize is grown
Four hybrids had higher infection rates compared to all traits; all other hybrids (n = 26) exhibited variable resistance to the pathogens
SBL1 has a medium severity for F. graminearum and F. culmorum and high severity for F. verticillioides (Figure 4)
Summary
Toxigenic fungal species occur across the globe, wherever maize is grown. More than ten Fusarium species contaminate maize, with differing ecological needs and toxin profiles [1]. Fusarium graminearum and F. verticillioides are the dominant. Fusarium graminearum causes severe epidemics for a period of 1–2 years every decade. Fusarium verticillioides causes an epidemic nearly every year [2], which should be treated in the future [3]. All three species participated in the damage, and of them, deoxynivalenol (DON) was the most severe. For this reason, we need to find approaches to develop resistance to all three Fusarium species mentioned.
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