Northwest Region Of Argentina Research Articles

A new species of Porophyllum (Asteraceae: Tageteae) from the northwest of Argentina, and the first record of female plants of Porophyllum cabrerae

Porophyllum riparium, a new species of the genus Porophyllum, is described. Morphological details, illustration, geographical distribution, and photographs in its natural habitat are provided. This new species occurs in the northwest region of Argentina, in Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán Provinces, in the Yungas biogeographical province. It is usually found on rocky and sandy soils, as well as along riverbanks. Porophyllum riparium is characterized by being an annual or short-lived perennial, glaucous, odoriferous, monoecious herb, 15–80(–130) cm tall, with sessile or attenuate into a pseudopetiole, linear-elliptic leaves with submarginal and subapical semi-pellucid oil cavities, lemon-colored infundibuliform corollas and exserted brownish anthers. Additionally, female plants of Porophyllum cabrerae were documented for the first time, photographs and descriptions of their female florets are included. Also, a key to identify northwestern species of Porophyllum is provided.

Birth weight in the Northwest region of Argentina. Comparison with a national reference and an international standard.

Introduction. Size at birth is subject to genetic and environmental influences; altitude is highly influential. Birth weight (BW) is the most widely used indicator to assess size at birth; different standards and references are available. Due to the variability in BW distribution in relation to altitude in the province of Jujuy (Argentina), the purpose of this study is to analyze the percentile distribution of BW in the highlands (HL) and the lowlands (LL) of Jujuy based on gestational age (GA) and sex and compare it with a national reference and the INTERGROWTH-21st (IG-21) international standard. Population and methods. The records of 78 524 live births in Jujuy in the 2009-2014 period were analyzed. Using the LMS method, the 3rd, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 97th percentiles of BW/GA by sex were estimated for the HL (≥ 2000 MASL), the LL (< 2000 MASL), and the total for Jujuy, and compared with the Argentine population reference by Urquía and the IG-21 standard using growth charts. The statistical significance was established using the Wilcoxon test. Results. BW in Jujuy showed a heterogeneous distribution, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the LL and the HL. When compared with the national reference and the IG-21 standard, differences in terms of altitude were observed, mainly in the 90th and 97th percentiles for both regions and the 3rd and 10th percentiles in the HL compared with the international standard. Conclusions. BW distribution varied in association with altitude; therefore, to assess intrauterine growth, it is critical to include GA and the environment in which the pregnancy takes place.

Killer yeasts used as starter cultures to modulate the behavior of potential spoilage non-Saccharomyces yeasts during Malbec wine fermentation

Yeast contamination is an important problem that affects wine production worldwide. In the present work, fermentative and biocontrol properties under winemaking conditions of the two killer strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cf8 and Wickerhamomyces anomalus Cf20, were evaluated. S. cerevisiae Cf8 and its combination with W. anomalus Cf20 were able to effectively control the growth of Meyerozyma guilliermondii Cd6 at low SO2 concentrations during Malbec must fermentation. Although the killer strain Cf8 alone exerted lower inhibitory activity, it modulated the growth of the strain Cd6, which positively influenced on wine aroma and complexity without being detrimental to product quality. Malbec wine produced by mixed culture Cf8 and Cd6 was the preferred one by the judges in the sensory analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first study made on red wines produced with indigenous killer yeasts from the Northwest Region of Argentina, as well as the first report of the modulation of potential spoilage yeasts into positive starters using killer yeasts in wine production. These results suggest that killer yeasts could be utilized as starter cultures to produce regional wines using low concentrations of SO2.

Exploring practical nutrition options for maximizing seed yield and protein concentration in soybean

Soybean seed yield and protein concentration are functions of the genetic, environmental, and management interactions. Both traits are frequently reported as negatively correlated since increases in seed yield are normally not accompanied by increases in seed protein concentration. The main goal of this study was to explore the impact of practical management decisions like (i) nutrition at sowing, and (ii) foliar fertilization at the beginning of seed-filling on seed yield and protein concentration of GMO and non-GMO soybean, across two regions with contrasting historical seed yield and protein concentrations: (i) high yielding and low protein region – Central region, and (ii) low yielding and high protein region – North-West region of Argentina. Within regions, fields were further classified as high and low productivity according to farmers' expertise. For Central region, improved nutrition at sowing yielded 5.4% (p < 0.05) and showed 0.9% more seed protein concentration than conventional treatment (p < 0.001). Non-GMO genotypes presented 9.6% less seed yield but 0,7% more seed protein concentration than GMO ones (p < 0.01). Seed yield differences between foliar treatments were variable between field productivities (p < 0.05) with no effects on seed protein concentration. High productivity fields showed ∼16% more seed yield and 0.7% higher seed protein concentration than low productivity fields (p < 0.001). For North-West region, seed yield was not affected by sowing treatments. Seed protein concentration of improved treatment was 0.3% higher than conventional treatment at sowing (p < 0.05). Likewise, non-GMO genotypes showed 0.7% more seed protein concentration than GMO ones (p < 0.001). Regardless of the region, changes in seed protein concentration due to the changes in tested factors were not correlated with changes in seed yield (p > 0.05). Our findings highlighted that (i) fertilization and inoculation constitute practical options for farmers to modify soybean productivity and seed quality, (ii) the effectiveness of changes in some input practices like foliar fertilization depended on the region where soybean was cultivated and (iii) not all changes in tested factors that allowed increased yields, impacted negatively on soybean seed protein concentration.

Genomic and proteomic characterization of two strains of Shigella flexneri 2 isolated from infants’ stool samples in Argentina

BackgroundShigella specie is a globally important intestinal pathogen disseminated all over the world. In this study we analyzed the genome and the proteomic component of two Shigella flexneri 2a clinical isolates, collected from pediatric patients with gastroenteritis of the Northwest region of Argentina (NWA) in two periods of time, with four years of difference. Our goal was to determine putative changes at molecular levels occurred during these four years, that could explain the presence of this Shigella`s serovar as the prevalent pathogen in the population under study.ResultsAs previously reported, our findings support the idea of Shigella has a conserved “core” genome, since comparative studies of CI133 and CI172 genomes performed against 80 genomes obtained from the NCBI database, showed that there is a large number of genes shared among all of them. However, we observed that CI133 and CI172 harbors a small number of strain-specific genes, several of them present in mobile genetic elements, supporting the hypothesis that these isolates were established in the population by horizontal acquisition of genes. These differences were also observed at proteomic level, where it was possible to detect the presence of certain secreted proteins in a culture medium that simulates the host environment.ConclusionGreat similarities were observed between the CI133 and CI172 strains, confirming the high percentage of genes constituting the “core” genome of S. flexneri 2. However, numerous strain specific genes were also determined. The presence of the here identified molecular elements into other strain of our culture collation, is currently used to develop characteristic markers of local pathogens. In addition, the most outstanding result of this study was the first description of a S. flexneri 2 producing Colicin E, as one of the characteristics that allows S. flexneri 2 to persist in the microbial community. These findings could also contribute to clarify the mechanism and the evolution strategy used by this pathogen to specifically colonize, survive, and cause infection within the NWA population.

Survey for Major Grapevine Viruses in Commercial Vineyards of Northwestern Argentina.

This study aimed to survey the occurrence of eight grapevine viruses in commercial vineyards located in the Calchaquíes Valleys in the northwest region of Argentina. A total of 103 samples of mature canes of vines showing either none or some viral-like symptoms were randomly collected. The samples were tested by RT-PCR/PCR-based assays for the screening of the following viruses: Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaV-1, -2, -3, -4), Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated viruses (GRSPaV), and Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV). Sixty percent of the analyzed samples showed infection with some of the analyzed viruses, except GRBV. GLRaV-3 and GFLV were the most frequent viruses, present in 34% and 21% of the positive samples, respectively. This study represents the first survey report of the presence of grapevine viruses in the region of the Calchaquíes Valleys and contributes to the knowledge to maintain the sanitary status of commercial vineyards in Argentina.

El viaje del alma después de la muerte. Un motivo homérico en Fuego en Casabindo de Héctor Tizón

La obra narrativa de Héctor Tizón incluye, desde su primera novela publicada, Fuego en Casabindo (1969), la adscripción a la tradición homérica, cifrada en la cita del epígrafe, de un fragmento de Odisea (11. 216-224), enunciado por Anticlea, quien revela a su hijo lo que ocurre con los seres humanos cuando mueren. Al mismo tiempo, incorpora en el mundo narrado los cantares y los relatos populares tradicionales, los mitos y creencias de la región noroeste de la Argentina. La escatología es un conocimiento que articula estas culturas tan alejadas en el tiempo y el espacio. Este artículo sostiene que el motivo griego integrado en la novela no es un componente secundario, sino que constituye la matriz narrativa, da forma a la estructura novelesca y resulta significativo para la interpretación.

Epidemiological study of prevalent pathogens in the Northwest region of Argentina (NWA).

Northwest Argentina (NWA) is a poor economic-geographical region, with the highest rate of diarrhea diseases. At the moment, there are no reports showing the epidemiological status of this region that would allow to establish methods for prevention and control of these infections and to indicate of the prevalent pathogen that produces them. Therefore we carried out an epidemiological study of the gastroenteritis etiological agents and their incidence in the pediatric population. A total of 17 823 fecal samples were collected, 14 242 from HNJ-Tuc, 2,257 from CePSI-Stgo and 1,324 from HINEP-Cat. In 2,595 samples a bacterial agent was identified, the 93.64% corresponded to Shigella/Salmonella clinical isolates. Shigella genus was the prevalent pathogen, being Shigella flexneri 2 the most frequent serotype. Most of the Shigella clinical isolates presented themselves as multidrug-resistant (MDR), harboring 2 to 3 genetic resistance determinants. 50% of the affected patients were children under 4 years old. Here, we demonstrate that bacterial gastrointestinal diseases strongly affect the health of NWA population. The appearance of epidemic outbreaks, as happened during 2014, suggest that they may be related to the socio-economic poverty of NWA. Recently, Shigella flexneri 2 has become the highest NWA´s incidence infectious agent. The acquisition of new antibiotic resistance determinants may play an important role in their adaptation and persistence.

First report of group A rotavirus and bovine coronavirus associated with neonatal calf diarrhea in the northwest of Argentina.

Group A rotavirus (RVA) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are the two main viral enteropathogens associated with neonatal calf diarrhea. The aim of the present survey was to investigate the epidemiology and the role of RVA and BCoV in the presentation of dairy and beef calf diarrhea in Lerma Valley of Salta province, within the Northwest region of Argentina. Stool samples of calves with or without diarrhea younger than 2 months of age were collected from 19 dairy farms and 20 beef farms between the years 2014 and 2016. Stool samples were screened for RVA and BCoV detection by ELISA. Heminested multiplex RT-PCR was used for RVA typing and RT-PCR to confirm BCoV. Positive samples were submitted to sequencing analysis. Bovine RVA and BCoV were circulating in 63% (12/19) and 10.52% (2/19) of the dairy farms, respectively, where 9.5% (46/484) of the calves were positives to RVA and 0.4% (2/484) to BCoV. In beef herds, RVA was detected in 40% (8/20) of the farms and in 6.75% (21/311) of the calves, without positives cases of BCoV. Molecular analysis showed that in dairy farms, G6P[11] and G10P[11] were the prevalent RVA strains, while in beef farms, G10P[11] was the prevalent. The main finding was the detection for the first time of a G15P[11] causing diarrhea in beef calves of Argentina that represents a new alert to be consider for future vaccine updates. Analysis of detected BCoV showed that it is related to the other circulating strains of Argentina.

Análisis cariotípicos en dos especies de Halerpestes (Ranunculaceae) del Noroeste Argentino

Halerpestes (Ranunculaceae) es un género pequeño el cual contiene 13 especies. Tres de ellas son típicas de la región del Noroeste Argentino: H. cymbalaria, H. exilis y H. uniflora. En investigaciones recientes se separó a H. exilis como una especie diferente de H. cymbalaria, ya que era considerada una forma de esta última. En este trabajo se realizaron recuentos cromosómicos y cariotipos de H. cymbalaria y H. exilis mediante técnicas citogenéticas clásicas. Los resultados fueron concluyentes en que ambos taxones son diploides y presentan 2n = 16 cromosomas, cariotipos asimétricos y unimodales; sin embargo, existen diferencias en el tamaño cromosómico y la organización de la cromatina, teniendo H. exilis un par cromosómico con satélite no observado en el otro taxón. La ubicación de H. cymbalaria y H. exilis como especies diferentes, realizada por diferentes autores, es afianzada por nuestros resultados.

Relationships between soil physicochemical properties and nitrogen fixing, nitrifying and denitrifying under varying land-use practices in the northwest region of Argentina

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response pattern of diazotrophic microbes, denitrifiers and nitrifiers to different types of land use management, such as soybean monoculture (M) during 5 and 24 years (M5 and M24) and soybean-maize rotation (R) during 4 and 15 years (R4 and R15) in two subsequent years at the time point of flowering. Soil samples from a site recently introduced into agriculture (RUA) and a pristine soil under native vegetation (NV) were used as controls. Abundances of different functional groups of microbes were assessed using the direct quantification of marker genes by quantitative real-time PCR using extracted DNA from rhizosphere samples. In addition, soil chemical and physical properties were analysed and correlated with the abundance data from the functional microbial groups under investigation. Overall, the results indicate that the abundance of nifH genes was higher under R treatments compared to M treatments. The abundance of ammonium monooxygenase genes amoA (AOA) was generally higher under rotation systems and decreased under M24. RUA evidenced a negative effect on the establishment and development of AOA communities. The influence of land use on nirS abundance was inconsistent. However, R treatments showed a high abundance of nirK genes compared to M treatments. In both growing seasons, the abundance of nosZ genes was higher under NV compared with the other treatments. Furthermore, M24 treatment was related to strongly changed chemical and physical soil properties compared with the other sites. As expected, soil samples from RUA showed the strong dynamics of measured parameters indicating the high sensitivity of soils under transition to environmental parameters. Our results also indicated that the long-term crop rotation modified the abundance of the investigated microbial groups compared to the monoculture and increased soil chemical and physical quality. Therefore, our results provide evidence for a stimulatory effect of the long-term crop rotation on the abundance of microbes involved in N transformation.

Hospitalization costs associated with diarrhea among children during the period of rotavirus circulation in the Northwest region of Argentina.

To assess direct medical costs, outof-pocket expenses, and indirect costs in cases of hospitalizations for acute diarrhea among children <5 years of age at Hospital de Niños "Héctor Quintana" in the province of Jujuy during the period of rotavirus circulation in the Northwest region of Argentina. Cross-sectional study on diseaserelated costs. All children <5 years of age, hospitalized with the diagnosis of acute diarrhea and dehydration during the period of rotavirus circulation between May 1st and October 31st of 2013, were included. The assessment of direct medical costs was done by reviewing medical records whereas out-of-pocket expenses and indirect costs were determined using a survey. For the 95% confidence interval of the average cost per patient, a probabilistic bootstrapping analysis of 10 000 simulations by resampling was done. One hundred and five patients were enrolled. Their average age was 18 months (standard deviation: 12); 62 (59%) were boys. The average direct medical cost, out-of-pocket expense, and lost income per case was ARS 3413.6 (2856.35-3970.93) (USD 577.59), ARS 134.92 (85.95-213.57) (USD 22.82), and ARS 301 (223.28-380.02) (USD 50.93), respectively. The total cost per hospitalization event was ARS 3849.52 (3298-4402.25) (USD 651.35). The total cost per hospitalization event was within what is expected for Latin America. Costs are broken down into direct medical costs (significant share), compared to out-of-pocket expenses (3.5%) and indirect costs (7.8%).

Relationship between infant mortality and altitude in the Northwest region of Argentina.

Given its location on the Andes, the Northwest region of Argentina is geographically, socioeconomically, culturally, and biologically heterogeneous, and this is reflected on an infant mortality rate (IMR) that is higher than in any other Argentine region. To estimate IMR, neonatal mortality rate (NMR), and post-neonatal mortality rate (PNMR), and to analyze their spatial and temporal variations using secular trends and the relative risk based on altitudinal zones. This was a retrospective, descriptive, correlational study based on birth and death data recorded in the Northwest region of Argentina (1998-2010); IMR, NMR, PNMR, secular trends, and the relative risk of death were calculated by district and altitudinal zone (districts at < 2000 meters above sea level, lowlands; at > 2000 meters above sea level, highlands) by means of a cluster analysis. Rates were higher in the highlands; IMR was 29.8%o (versus 15.6%o in the lowlands); PNMR was 17.7% in the highlands (versus 5.2% in the lowlands). In the highlands, there was an annual average reduction of 3.9% in IMR and of 4.1% in PNMR; in the lowlands, such reduction was of 7.0% in IMR and of 9.3% in PNMR. The relative risk of IMR and PNMR was significantly higher at high-altitude zones. NMR, its secular trend, and the relative risk did not show statistically significant differences between both altitudinal zones.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children with chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant.

Vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency is common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our objective was to establish the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency among children with CKD and identify risk factors. A correlation was observed between 25(OH)D and parathormone intact molecule. Cross-sectional study conducted between January 2013 and December 2015. Patients younger than 19 years old with and without CKD were included. One hundred and sixty-seven patients were included. Group 1 (healthy controls): 32 participants; group 2 (stage 2-4 CKD, glomerular filtration rate between 89 and 15 mL/min/1.73 m2): 34 patients; group 3 (stage 5 CKD, dialysis): 46 patients; and group 4 (kidney transplant recipients): 55 patients. Deficiency of 25(OH)D was detected in 12.5% of healthy controls and 32% of CKD patients (p= 0.025). Also, 23% of patients in group 2, 51% in group 3, and 22% in group 4 had 25(OH)D deficiency; the mean 25(OH)D level of dialysis patients was significantly lower than that of the rest of the groups. Predictors of 25(OH)D deficiency included hypoalbuminemia, advanced CKD, and place of origin from the Northwest region of Argentina. The parathormone intact molecule was significantly higher in the group of patients with deficiency and was inversely correlated with 25(OH)D levels. Among CKD patients, 32% had 25(OH)D deficiency, which reached 51% among those with stage 5 CKD (dialysis). Predictors of deficiency included hypoalbuminemia, advanced CKD, and place of origin from the Northwest region of Argentina.

Differential diagnosis of a neoplastic condition in a prehistoric juvenile individual from La Falda site, Northwest Argentina

Bone neoplasms or tumors are of great interest for paleopathological studies due to their close relationship with health and survivorship as well as for their epidemiologic and demographic relevance. However, the identification of these lesions in archaeological specimens is very uncommon. The aim of this paper is to report the case of skeleton R5 E#1 from the prehistoric cemetery La Falda, in the Northwest region of Argentina. During the osteopathological analysis of the skeletal series, proliferative lesions in several bones of the skeleton of a 7–10-year-old juvenile were observed (i.e., both scapulae; left clavicle, humerus, and ulna, both os coxae, femora, and fibulae, and right foot bones). Age-at-death estimation, location and distribution pattern, and morphological appearances of the lesions indicated that this juvenile suffered from a neoplastic condition. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was carried out, suggesting that these lesions were compatible with hereditary multiple osteochondromas. However, Ewing’s sarcoma was not definitively ruled out as a probable diagnosis. Thus, this work adds new evidence to the existence of neoplastic conditions in the prehistoric populations of the Americas, and it contributes original data to perform a differential diagnosis for multiple proliferative lesions.

Genetic variation in natural populations of Acacia visco (Fabaceae) belonging to two sub-regions of Argentina using AFLP

Acacia visco is a tree native to South America that grows in central and northwest region of Argentina, north Chile and Bolivia and has also been introduced to Africa and naturalized in Europe. Little is known about genetic diversity and genetic structure of this species. Therefore, we studied natural Argentinean populations of A. visco using the AFLP technique, by determining the genetic diversity of the species and its genetic structure, considering the proportion of the species diversity explained within and between the two sub-regions where populations were this species is present in the country. Fourteen of the 445 loci obtained appeared to be under diversifying selection. The remaining 431 neutral loci showed a mean of 60.89 % of percentage of polymorphic loci. The estimates of genetic diversity HE were generally high. The FST (0.126) was highly significant, providing evidence for genetic structure among populations. Hierarchical AMOVA indicated that variation between sub-regions was 2.1 % and highly significant. The higher component of variance was found within populations (77.4 %). STRUCTURE analysis showed an optimal number of K = 6. This result was consistent with those obtained by UPGMA from Nei’s distances and Canonical Discriminant Analysis. Since differentiation of A. visco populations in sub-regions was highly significant, a suitable management strategy for the use of this species in restoration programs would be focus on sampling seeds of a high number of individual trees within populations and also ensure a comprehensive coverage of the entire ecological amplitude of this species.

The Bajo de la Alumbrera and Agua Rica Cu–Au (Mo) porphyry deposits of Argentina: Genetic constraints on ore formation and sources based on isotope signatures

Important copper-gold (±molybdenum) porphyry deposits occur in the northwest region of Argentina, part of the Central Andes. This paper provides new isotope information on two of these deposits, Bajo de la Alumbrera and Agua Rica, the latter having an epithermal overprint event. The two deposits are genetically associated with the Miocene Farallón Negro Volcanic Complex. Whole rock and sulfide samples were analyzed for Pb, Sr and Nd isotopes to characterize the sources of magma and mineralization of both deposits. Sr and εNd data made it possible to divide the samples into three distinct groups. Most samples are slightly differentiated, have OIB (Ocean Island Basalts) isotope characteristics, and show some Nd fractionation. Lead isotope also shows distinct groups with an enrichment trend in radiogenic lead. In both deposits, the sulfides are more radiogenic than the host rocks, but are clearly related to them because all plot on a single trend. A crustal contribution to the deposits is suggested on the basis of lead isotope signatures. The similarity on the Pb isotope signatures suggests the same magmatic fluid source, although at Agua Rica the crustal component is more evident than at Bajo de la Alumbrera, possibly because of the assimilation of Paleozoic country rocks at Agua Rica.

Double skin glazed façades in sunny Mediterranean climates

Double skin glazed facades (DGF) are an actual worldwide trend in new and refurbished buildings, even in warm climates with high solar radiation levels as in the Middle East and in Mediterranean climates. In such climates, overheating of indoor spaces and therefore excessive energy consumption are the main problems to be faced. These issues are commonly addressed mostly by thermal simulation or experimental evaluations on small prototypes. However, measurements on real-scale buildings with DGFs are very unusual. This information is crucial to understand and validate the predictions of the thermal behavior of the DGF technology. In this paper, thermal measurements were carried out in an unoccupied office building with a West DGF placed in the Northwest region of Argentina during 3 months in spring/summer. The air temperature exceeded in 10°C the outdoor air and that indoor temperatures have not exceeded the outdoor levels in the hottest hours. Two correct design decisions were the use of low-e double hermetic glazing and the addition of a screenpainting to the external DGF panel. The experimental data showed that well-designed DGFs can reduce the summer energy consumption of buildings, even using West DGFs, in sunny climates.

Probable prostate cancer in a pre-Incaic individual from Pukara de la Cueva, northwestern Argentina

Prostate carcinoma is a common malignant neoplasia that mostly metastasizes to bone in males. Nonetheless, the number of paleopathological cases reported is very small. Most of them were identified in Europe, and only two came from South American individuals. The purpose of this paper is to document the lesions identified in a pre-Columbian (around 1400AD) individual that corresponds to a middle adult male from Pukara de la Cueva, Jujuy province, in the Northwest region of Argentina. The skeleton was found disarticulated but it is nearly complete and well preserved. The general character of the lesions observed is predominantly proliferative in nature, but osteolytic and mixed patterns were also detected in both axial and appendicular skeleton. Macroscopically, this overall pattern and the distribution of the lesions are compatible with a secondary cancer. Radiological examination showed multiple dense and irregular areas in several bones. The lesions visible by external inspection and by radiographs are in concordance with changes which are documented to occur in the course of prostatic carcinoma. The exuberance and dissemination of the lesions all over the skeleton led infer individual cachexy implying that he would have been assisted by his family and/or social group during the chronic process. Different carcinogenic risk factors associated to this kind of disease are discussed. This analysis adds new evidence of pre-Columbian carcinoma in South American native populations, as knowledge from clinical cases is considered to delineate a differential diagnosis.

Fusarium temperatum and Fusarium subglutinans isolated from maize in Argentina

Fusarium temperatum and Fusarium subglutinans isolated from the Northwest region (NOA region) of Argentina were characterized using a polyphasic approach based on morphological, biological and molecular markers. Some interfertility between the species was observed. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the two species represented two clades strongly supported by bootstrap values. The toxigenic profile of the strains was also determined. F. temperatum strains were fusaproliferin and beauvericin producers, and only some strains were fumonisin B1 producers. All F. subglutinans strains produced fusaproliferin but none produced beauvericin, indicating a potential toxicological risk from maize harvested in the NOA region of Argentina. This study provides new information about F. temperatum isolated from maize in Argentina.