APPEARANCE OF FUNGUS, ERGOSTEROL AND Fusarium MYCOTOXINS IN THE HUSK, AXIAL STEM AND STALK AFTER EAR INOCULATION OF FIELD CORN

Abstract
The appearance of fungus, ergosterol and the myotoxins deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and zearalenone in the husk, axial stem and stalk of field corn (Zea mays L.) after ear inoculation with Fusarium graminearum was studied over a growing season. In certain tissues, ergosterol and deoxynivalenol concentrations varied in concert and reached maxima at 370 ppm each after 6 wk and 12 ppm each after 7 wk in the husks and axial stems, respectively. Ergosterol and deoxynivalenol were differentially translocated into the stalk with ergosterol (26 ppm maximum after 6 wk) appearing primarily in the sections above the cob attachment point and deoxynivalenol (2.8 ppm maximum after 7 wk) primarily in the sections below. 15-Acetyldeoxynivalenol was detected only in the husks (up to 59 ppm) and after 3 wk, concentrations rapidly dropped to ca. 20% of maximum. Zearalenone (5.2 ppm) was only observed in the husks and then mainly near harvest time.Key words: Corn, Fusarium graminearum, mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol, ergosterol, translocation

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