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Disease development and mycotoxin production by the Fusarium graminearum species complex associated with South African maize and wheat

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Abstract

Fungal species comprising the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) may cause disease in maize and wheat. Host preference within the FGSC has been suggested, in particular F. boothii towards maize ears. Therefore, the disease development and mycotoxin production of five FGSC species in maize and wheat grain was determined. Eighteen isolates representing F. acaciae-mearnsii, F. boothii, F. cortaderiae, F. graminearum and F. meridionale were used. Each isolate was inoculated on maize ears and wheat heads to determine host preferences. Disease severity and disease incidence was measured for maize and wheat, respectively. Fungal colonisation and mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol and zearalenone, was also quantified. Isolates differed significantly (P < 0.05) in their ability to produce symptoms on maize ears, however, no significant differences between FGSC species were determined. Similarly, significant differences (P < 0.05) between isolates but not between FGSC species in disease incidence on wheat were determined. The isolates also differed significantly (P < 0.05) in their ability to colonise maize and wheat grain. No significant differences in fungal colonisation, among the five FGSC species, were determined in field grown maize. However, under greenhouse conditions, F. boothii was the most successful coloniser of maize grain (P < 0.05). In wheat, F. graminearum colonised the grain more successfully and produced significantly more (P < 0.05) DON than the other species. Fusarium boothii isolates were the best colonisers and mycotoxin producers in maize, and F. graminearum isolates in wheat. The selective advantage of F. boothii to cause disease on maize was supported in this study.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the South African Winter Cereal Trust and the National Research Foundation: Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) of South Africa. We are grateful to Dr. Emmanuel Terrasson, Karlien van Zyl, Ilana Visser and Dewald Gouws for excellent technical assistance. Thank you to Ms. M. van der Rijst for statistical analyses and Mr. D. Lesch for management of the wheat field trials. The mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by Stellenbosch University.

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Beukes, I., Rose, L.J., van Coller, G.J. et al. Disease development and mycotoxin production by the Fusarium graminearum species complex associated with South African maize and wheat. Eur J Plant Pathol 150, 893–910 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-017-1331-5

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