Fumonisin Producing Capacity of Fusarium Strains Isolated from Cereals in Spain

Abstract

A total of 147 Fusarium spp., predominantly from the section Liseola were isolated from cereals in Catalonia, Spain. Fusarium moniliforme was the predominant species (85.7%) isolated from these grains. Other species·included Fusarium sporotrichoides, Fusarium heterosporum, Fusarium tricinctum, Fusarium poae, Fusarium anthophilum and Fusarium subglutinans. The ability of these isolates and species to produce fumonisin B1 and B2 was assessed on moist sterile corn. This showed that about 34% of the strains from the section Liseola produced both fumonisin B1 and B2 although the quantities varied considerably. One isolate of F. subglutinans was demonstrated to produce both fumonisin B1 and B2.