Identification of airborne propagules of the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex during maize production

Abstract

The airborne dispersal of the anamorphs of the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex was studied under pre-and postharvest maize (corn) production conditions using a 3-stage Andersen sampler. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the size distribution of such species in air samples. Differences were observed between the concentration of large-and small-sized propagules (identified as aggregates and single microconidia, respectively), but the difference was only significant during a high concentration period (October 2007, P = 0.009). No correlation was found between the concentration of fusaria found at different sampling heights (10 and 150 cm above ground level). Fusarium isolates were collected and identified based on morphological characters and using species-specific PCR assays. The PCR analysis confirmed morphological identification of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum and F. subglutinans. High concentrations were found during the maize harvest, loading and corn shelling. Our results showed that the monitoring of F. verticillioides should be performed at a single sampling height.

Culture-independent detection and quantification ofFusarium circinatumin a pine-producing seedling nursery

“…However, small water drops can become airborne and thus allow for conidia to be dispersed over longer distances. Airborne Fusarium conidia have also been reported within maize and sorghum fields (Inch et al 2005;Funnell-Harris 2011;Donat et al 2012).…”

Fusarium diversity in soil using a specific molecular approach and a cultural approach

“…Conversely, some beneficial populations of Fusarium can reduce the infectious activity of pathogenic Fusarium and disease severity (Steinberg et al, 2007). These diverse fungi have various habitats, they are common in soil and on living plants and plant residues but they can also be found in the air and in water (Almaguer et al, 2012;Donat et al, 2012;Sautour et al, 2012). Besides their economic importance, Fusarium is also of clinical importance: in recent years they have been increasingly associated with human skin infections and invasive infections of immunocompromised patients (Nucci and Anaissie, 2007;Migheli et al, 2010).…”