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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203643
Title: Wheat kernel black point and fumonisin contamination by Fusarium proliferatum

Author
item Desjardins, Anne
item Busman, Mark
item Proctor, Robert
item Stessman, Richard

Submitted to: Journal of Food Additives & Contaminants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/9/2007
Publication Date: 10/1/2007
Citation: Desjardins, A.E., Busman, M., Proctor, R., Stessman, R.J. 2007. Wheat kernel black point and fumonisin contamination by Fusarium proliferatum. Journal of Food Additives & Contaminants. 24(10):1131-1137.

Interpretive Summary: The fungus Fusarium proliferatum can cause kernel black point disease in wheat. In this study we show for the first time that this fungus also can contaminate wheat kernels with fumonisin mycotoxins. These data indicate that there is a significant potential for fumonisin contamination of wheat in which this fungus is present. This research should be of general interest to wheat pathologists, breeders, and growers by providing information on the impact of F. proliferatum on wheat production.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium proliferatum is a major cause of maize ear rot and fumonisin contamination and also can cause wheat kernel black point disease. The primary objective of this study was to characterize nine F. proliferatum strains from wheat from Nepal for ability to cause black point and fumonisin contamination in wheat kernels. For comparative purposes, the study included three Fusarium strains from U.S. maize. Fungal strains were applied by injection, spray, or dip of spores onto spikes of five wheat cultivars. All application methods and all strains produced kernel black point, and most strains had some affect on kernel yield. Most strains produced fumonisins in kernels, but at relatively low levels (<10 'g/g, combined fumonisin B1, B2 and B3) as determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. One strain from Nepal, however, was able to produce high levels (>100 'g/g) of fumonisins in kernels. These data indicate a potential for fumonisin contamination of wheat infected with F. proliferatum.