Survey of vomitoxin contamination of the 1980 white winter wheat crop in ontario, canada

Abstract

During the summer of 1980, there was a great deal of rainfall and high humidity in southwestern Ontario. Sprouting of the kernels on plants in the field and pink discoloration down-graded the white winter wheat crop. Samples were submitted to Agriculture Canada from elevators and boats loading wheat for export. Chemical analyses indicated low levels of vomitoxin, with some analytical results as high as 8.5 ppm. A series of feeding trials was initiated with contaminated wheat (1.0 ppm vomitoxin) to determine effects on swine and poultry. Swine diets containing 0.3 and 0.7 ppm vomitoxin resulted in decreased feed consumption and weight gains. Poultry were fed similar levels of vomitoxin without any serious effects. Gross examination of internal organs at the termination of the subacute studies revealed no apparent toxic effects. Several farmers reported feed refusal, vomiting and death in their livestock. Chemical analyses, in general, revealed relatively low levels of vomitoxin. In one case, the level of vomitoxin (0.95 ppm) in the feed was high enough to he a possible contributing factor in the observed ill effects.

Identification by PCR of Fusarium culmorum Strains Producing Large and Small Amounts of Deoxynivalenol

“…Trichothecenes can be found naturally worldwide on cereals (1,9,18,27,38,45,48,54,55,59), and the consumption of these toxins is a potential problem for humans and farm animals (14, 47).…”

Effect of Feeding Deoxynivalenol (Vomitoxin)-Contaminated Barley to Horses

“…22 The genus Fusarium occurs throughout the world and may affect corn, wheat, barley, oats, rice, and sorghum and complete feed formulations. 7,19,[21][22][23] Cereal grain contamination by DON occurs most frequently when conditions are cool and wet at the time of grain formation and harvest and is associated predominantly with infection in the field rather than as a complication of storage. 7 Although most descriptions of widespread grain contamination by DON have been confined to temperate zones of the world, 7,19 DON contamination has also been reported to affect grain in subtropical climates.…”

“…7,19,[21][22][23] Cereal grain contamination by DON occurs most frequently when conditions are cool and wet at the time of grain formation and harvest and is associated predominantly with infection in the field rather than as a complication of storage. 7 Although most descriptions of widespread grain contamination by DON have been confined to temperate zones of the world, 7,19 DON contamination has also been reported to affect grain in subtropical climates. 3 Deoxynivalenol has been given the trivial name vomitoxin because it causes emesis when ingested by swine and dogs.…”

Effect of three systemic fungicides on deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) production by Fusarium graminearum in wheat

“…Since the contamination of grains with DON has been observed during the growing season ofcrops (Trenholm et al 1981;Scott et al 1984), the prevention of fungal contamination and mycotoxin production needs consideration during the growth period of plants in the field. The antifungal compounds which are capable of controlling the vegetative growth have been investigated for their effectiveness on mycotoxin production.…”