Identification of Fusarium species from wheat, barley and maize grain

Fusarium genera is wide-spread and well-known for its large number of pathogenic species known to be pathogenic agents to plants in different agroclimatic areas (Booth 1971, Nelson et al.1983). Fusarium species play an important role in diesease etiology with regard to wheat and barley ears and ears of maize (Atanasoff 1923., Jurković 1981., Wilcoxon 1988, Logrieco et al., 1995, Clear et al. 1996, Dubin et al. 1996, Ćosić 1997, Vigier et al. 1997, Chakaeva 2000). During a four year period (1997-2000) wheat and barley ears as well as ears of maize were collected from seven sites in eastern part of Slavonia and Baranya. In our laboratory they were manually ginned in order to obtain standardized samples for analysis. After surface-sterilization and development of basic, isolates of Fusarium spp. were subcultured on PDA and CLA using NUV light under a 12h dark/light regime. Seven species were isolated from grains of wheat, five from barley grains and three from maize grains. The dominant species on grains of wheat and barley was Fusarium graminearum Schw. (51.08% out of 785 isolates from grains of wheat, 71.37% out of 227 isolates from barley grains). F. moniliforme was the most dominant on maize grains (46.74% out of 582 isolates). According to its occurence, F. graminearum was followed by F. moniliforme Sheld. (20, 38%), F. subglutinans (Wollenw. & Reink.) Nelson, Toussoun & Marasas (9.05%), F. avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc. (12, 61%), Microdochium nivale (Fries) Samuels & Hallett (3.44%), F. poae (Peck) Wollenw. (1.91%) and F. solani (Mart.) Appel & Wollenw. emend. Snyd. & Hans. (1.53%). On barley grains F. moniliforme (13.65%), F. subglutinans (6.61%), F. avenaceum (6.61%) and F. poae (Peck) Wollenw. (1.76%) were determined. According to its presence on maize grain, F. moniliforme was followed by F. subglutinans (32.47%) and F. graminearum (20.79%). All determined Fusarium species produce mycotoxines which may cause great problems both for human and animal health. In the Republic of Croatia none tolerances have been prescribed yet for certain mycotoxines. Respectively, their level has not been measured in food (Jurjević, Cvjetković 2000).