Fungal and bacterial maize kernel interactions with the vertically transmitted endophytic state of Fusarium verticillioides

Authors: Bacon, Charles; Hinton, Dorothy

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2018
Publication Date: 4/6/2019
Citation: Bacon, C.W., Hinton, D.M. 2019. Fungal and bacterial maize kernel interactions with the vertically transmitted endophytic state of Fusarium verticillioides. In: Verma S., White, Jr J., editors. Seed Endophytes. Switzerland, AG: Springer Cham. p.191-209. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10504-4_10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10504-4_10

Interpretive Summary: Fungi of the genus Fusarium is a large genus consisting of 100 or more valid species with additional more cryptic species are anticipated. We are concerned with one species. F. verticillioides (Saccardo) Nirenberg, the sexual stage of which is Gibberalla moniliformis Wineland. This fungus has a more common synonyms of F. moniliforme, or Gibberella fujikuroi, mating population A. and in this review both synonyms will be used depending upon the author citation. F. verticillioides under its various synonyms is associated with well over 32 plant families, and is known to be seed-born on at least 10 of these, where is cause of seedling blights, foot rots, stem rots, and pre and post-harvest fruit rots. Thus, this species, and other Fusarium species are non-specific host generalists. The fungus however, is a noted pathogen of maize and is found throughout the world wherever maize is grown. Of considerable importance is that F. verticillioides infects maize as a symptomless endophyte, where it produces several homologs of the fumonisin mycotoxins. This class of mycotoxins produces toxicity syndromes in livestock, poultry, and in humans and surveys indicate that approximately 95% of the world’s isolates are capable of producing these. Due to the importance of maize to human kind, and the health risks from its mycotoxins, as well as the endophytic association of F. verticillioides we review the symptomless infection, with emphasis on its host, and environment requirement leading to the production of the fumonisin toxins and it pathogenic state. We further embellished this review with potential endophytic biocontrol bacteria and their interactions with host to effects a control of this fungus of corn.

Technical Abstract: Fungi of the genus Fusarium is a large genus consisting of 100 or more valid species with additional more cryptic species are anticipated. We are concerned with one species. F. verticillioides (Saccardo) Nirenberg, the sexual stage of which is Gibberalla moniliformis Wineland. This fungus has a more common synonyms of F. moniliforme, or Gibberella fujikuroi, mating population A. and in this review both synonyms will be used depending upon the author citation. F. verticillioides under its various synonyms is associated with well over 32 plant families, and is known to be seed-born on at least 10 of these, where is cause of seedling blights, foot rots, stem rots, and pre and post-harvest fruit rots. Thus, this species, and other Fusarium species are non-specific host generalists. The fungus however, is a noted pathogen of maize and is found throughout the world wherever maize is grown. Of considerable importance is that F. verticillioides infects maize as a symptomless endophyte, where it produces several homologs of the fumonisin mycotoxins. This class of mycotoxins produces toxicity syndromes in livestock, poultry, and in humans and surveys indicate that approximately 95% of the world’s isolates are capable of producing these. Due to the importance of maize to human kind, and the health risks from its mycotoxins, as well as the endophytic association of F. verticillioides we review the symptomless infection, with emphasis on its host, and environment requirement leading to the production of the fumonisin toxins and it pathogenic state. We further embellished this review with potential endophytic biocontrol bacteria and their interactions with host to effects a control of this fungus of corn.