Stoeva, Daniela; Gencheva, Deyana; Yordanova, Rozalina; Beev, Georgi

Fusarium species producers of trichothecenes in wheat – characteristics and control – Review

2023

Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 29, 6, p. 1103 - 1111

Article

eng

Fusarium; fusarium infections; Fusarium mycotoxins; Fusarium species identificatio; wheat

Wheat is a major cereal crop culture, with highest part of global production and consumption. It represents a favorable substrate for the development of numerous fungal pathogens, of which the members of the genus Fusarium are of great importance. Fusarium spp. causes a variety of diseases affecting cereal crops in wheat manifested in two forms – Fusarium root and stem rot and Fusarium head blight (FHB) when it occurs at a later stage. Apart from the fact that these infections dramatically reduce the yields and the quality of the grain, there is a risk of secondary Fusarium metabolites known as mycotoxins entering the production. Among them, the trichothecenes deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), T-2, HT-2 toxin are of greate concern. These secondary metabolites can accumulate in high concentrations in the rain and enter the food chain, causing various diseases in both humans and animals. The production of mycotoxins is not only species-specific but also strain-specific characteristic. Therefore, the knowledge of the pattern of Fusarium species spread on the wheat, will allow accurate prediction and early management of the potential presence of mycotoxins in food and feed.