Fusarium ear rot of maize is a worldwide disease, which is most frequently caused by Gibberella moniliformis and G. intermedia, belonging to the G. fujikuroi species complex. Both species produce carcinogenic fumonisins, in particular fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2) and B3 (FB3) that accumulate in maize kernels. Occurrence of fumonisins in maize in Italy has been documented, but little information is available on the effects of synthetic fungicides on Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination. The aim of this work was to assess (i) the diffusion and severity of Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin occurrence in an area of maize cultivation (Molise Region, central Italy) and (ii) the effectiveness of some synthetic fungicides in reducing disease and contamination with these myco-toxins. In preliminary epidemiological investigations, disease incidence and fumonisin occurrence were determined in 18 sites, where representative samples (100 ears) were collected at the dent stage. In 2005 and 2006, field trials were carried out with some synthetic fungicides applied by a drip irrigation system at silk emission and milky-waxy ripening stage. Incidence of disease, identification of fungi and levels of contamination with FB1, FB2 and FB3 were determined. Preliminary epidemiological investigations showed that both disease incidence (up to 100% of kernels contaminated by Fusarium species) and fumonisin contamination (up to 50 μg/g) in Molise were quite severe, being F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides the main Fusarium species. Field trials showed that some fungicides resulted in a significant reduction of Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination.

OCCURRENCE OF FUSARIUM EAR ROT AND FUMONISIN CONTAMINATION OF MAIZE IN MOLISE AND EFFECTS OF SYNTHETIC FUNGICIDES

DE CURTIS, Filippo;CASTORIA, Raffaello;LIMA, Giuseppe;
2008-01-01

Abstract

Fusarium ear rot of maize is a worldwide disease, which is most frequently caused by Gibberella moniliformis and G. intermedia, belonging to the G. fujikuroi species complex. Both species produce carcinogenic fumonisins, in particular fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2) and B3 (FB3) that accumulate in maize kernels. Occurrence of fumonisins in maize in Italy has been documented, but little information is available on the effects of synthetic fungicides on Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination. The aim of this work was to assess (i) the diffusion and severity of Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin occurrence in an area of maize cultivation (Molise Region, central Italy) and (ii) the effectiveness of some synthetic fungicides in reducing disease and contamination with these myco-toxins. In preliminary epidemiological investigations, disease incidence and fumonisin occurrence were determined in 18 sites, where representative samples (100 ears) were collected at the dent stage. In 2005 and 2006, field trials were carried out with some synthetic fungicides applied by a drip irrigation system at silk emission and milky-waxy ripening stage. Incidence of disease, identification of fungi and levels of contamination with FB1, FB2 and FB3 were determined. Preliminary epidemiological investigations showed that both disease incidence (up to 100% of kernels contaminated by Fusarium species) and fumonisin contamination (up to 50 μg/g) in Molise were quite severe, being F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides the main Fusarium species. Field trials showed that some fungicides resulted in a significant reduction of Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11695/8602
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