Contamination of Wheat Grains with Species of Genera Fusarium in Different Localities of Slovakia in 2006-2008

Abstract

The frequency and relative density of occurrence of Fusarium spp. was evaluated on 112 wheat grain samples from different agro-ecological localities in Slovakia. The samples were collected in 2006, 2007 and 2008 from the same farmers and from the same localities every year immediately after harvest. In 2006, contamination was 95.2%, in 2007 it was 64.3%, and 71.4% in 2008. The highest average frequency of occurrence was found in Fusarium graminearum in 2006 -65%. The prevalence of Fusarium poae was ascertained in 2007 and 2008. The highest frequency of Fusarium spp. occurrence was revealed in locality Turčiansky Ďur in 2008 -53.9%. The highest identified amount of Fusarium species (12) was from the area of Turčiansky Ďur in 2007. Fusarium graminearum, Fusari-um sporotrichioides, Fusarium poae and Fusarium oxysporum were the most frequent in 2006, while Fusarium poae, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium semitectum dominated in 2007. Fusarium poae dominated in 2008, then followed Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium avenaceum. Other identified species, such as Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium tricinctum and Microdochium nivale, were in population structure in a relatively low density. Grains contaminated with Fusarium spp. are unsuitable for both human and animal consumption because of the adverse health effects of fusariotoxins..

Occurrence of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat in Slovakia during 2010 and 2011

“…The average contamination of samples in 2010 is the highest detected during our monitoring of the DON content in wheat samples when compared to existing published results [3]. In the samples of wheat grown between 2004 and 2008 collected from nine sites in Slovakia, the analysis found that the highest average contamination was 0.82 mg·kg −1 , in 2006 [3]. A different DON content was detected in wheat samples collected immediately after harvest, from producers in Serbia in 2004, and had an average contamination of 1.23 mg·kg −1 .…”

“…From 2010 to 2011, a 67.7% difference was observed in DON content, with the results showing a high level of sample contamination in 2010. The average contamination of samples in 2010 is the highest detected during our monitoring of the DON content in wheat samples when compared to existing published results [3]. In the samples of wheat grown between 2004 and 2008 collected from nine sites in Slovakia, the analysis found that the highest average contamination was 0.82 mg·kg −1 , in 2006 [3].…”

“…F. graminearum and F. culmorum are the main DON-producing fungi in Europe [1]. In the Slovak Republic, the most common species causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) and contamination of wheat grains with mycotoxins are F. culmorum (W. G. Smith) Sacc., F. graminearum Schwabe [2] and F. poae [3]. The occurrence and severity of the disease caused by Fusarium spp.…”