Diversity of Pea-Associated F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides Populations Revealed by FUM1 Sequence Analysis and Fumonisin Biosynthesis

Abstract

Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticillioides are considered as minor pathogens of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Both species can survive in seed material without visible disease symptoms, but still contaminating it with fumonisins. Two populations of pea-derived F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides strains were subjected to FUM1 sequence divergence analysis, forming a distinct group when compared to the collection strains originating from different host species. Furthermore, the mycotoxigenic abilities of those strains were evaluated on the basis of in planta and in vitro fumonisin biosynthesis. No differences were observed in fumonisin B (FB) levels measured in pea seeds (maximum level reached 1.5 μg g−1); however, in rice cultures, the majority of F. proliferatum genotypes produced higher amounts of FB1–FB3 than F. verticillioides strains.

Host extract modulates metabolism and fumonisin biosynthesis by the plant-pathogenic fungus Fusarium proliferatum

“…It is known to be the main cause of maize cob fusariosis (along with Fusarium verticillioides), but can also colonize wheat, barley, rice, asparagus, garlic, pea, onion, tomato, pineapple, fig and various palms (Jurado et al, 2010;Kerényi et al, 2002;Stępień et al, 2011b;von Bargen et al, 2009;Waśkiewicz et al, 2013). Moreover, it has been isolated from uncultivated plants including reed, sorrel, prairie grasses and pine (Bhale et al, 2012).…”

Plant-Pathogenic Fungi in Seeds of Different Pea Cultivars in Poland

“…Though mycotoxin analyses were not planned for this study, they definitely would contribute to knowledge in the field (some analyses have already been performed and more extensive research is planned on this material). In fact, significant amounts of fumonisins have been found in the seeds of cultivars Eureka and Turnia (35). Taking our results into account, it can be concluded that some pea-originating Fusarium strains can be regarded as specific for the host, although results have also shown that susceptibility of individual pea cultivars to pathogenic fungi vary.…”

“…Water availability and temperature at specific plant growth stage are particularly crucial for disease development and severity. Woudenberg et al (25) indicated that fungi can infect different parts of a plant at various isolated from the same plant host (33,35). Moreover, analysis of FUM1 sequence can be used to evaluate the contamination with fumonisins; however, significant intraspecific differences in mycotoxigenic abilities have been reported (33).…”

“…in the analysed pea seeds suggests the possibility of contamination with mycotoxins, as both F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides have the ability to produce fumonisins. Fumonisin biosynthesis is determined by the activity of the FUM gene cluster comprising of 17 FUM genes (30,31) and numerous studies have shown that the sequence analysis of FUM1 gene may be successfully used to identify Fusarium strains (32)(33)(34)(35). An analysis of the genetic divergences of this particular gene among the peaderived strains and the strains originating from different host species has shown a higher level of similarity between the strains of F. proliferatum …”

Plant-pathogen interactions during infection process of asparagus with Fusarium spp.

“…Both Fusarium species are able to generate mycotoxins (moniliformin -MON and fumonisins -FBs), which pose potential health hazards to humans and animals [9][10][11]. The most abundant fumonisin produced in nature is fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ), a suspected risk factor for esophageal and liver cancers, neural tube defects, and cardiovascular problems [12][13][14][15] in populations where food contains contaminated maize.…”