engleski

Susceptibility of Croatian maize hybrids to Fusarium ear rot (Fusarium verticillioides) and fumonisin B1 accumulation

Ear rot caused by Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important and widespread disease of maize worldwide. Infection of maize kernels with F. verticillioides often leads to accumulation of fumonisins, carcinogenic, hepatotoxicand nephrotoxic mycotoxins. In order to evaluate the susceptibility of Croatian maize genotypes to Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin B1 accumualtion, 25 hybrids were tested in field conditions using artificial inoculations. Ten primary ears from central plants were inoculated into the middle portion of the ear between the husk and the cob with 2 ml of conidial suspension 10 days after 50% silking. A steel needle with two side openings on Socorex veterinary syringe with pistol handle attached to 1l container was used for inoculations. Ear rot severity was assessed during the harvest time according to 1-7 rating scale. Fumonisin B1 content in grain was measured using competitive ELISA. Ear rot severity ratings were different for all hybrids tested, ranging from 4.5 to 1.4. Eighteen hybrids were scored as moderately resistant, with average disease ratings form 2.0 to 3.0. Six hybrids showed higher resistance to Fusarium ear rot, with ratings below 2.0. However, no significant differences were observed in fumonisin B1 content in grain of tested hybrids. Average fumonisin B1 contents ranged from 194.3 μg/kg to 139.8 μg/kg. No correlation was determined between Fusarium ear rot severity and fumonisin B1 accumulation among maize genotypes in this study.

ear rot; Fusarium verticillioides; fumonisin B1

nije evidentirano