Crop rotation systems and infection of maize grains by Fusarium verticillioides in maize-producing regions in the state of São Paulo.

Author(s)

Danielle Diniz Atayde

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2014-02-20

Examining board members

Benedito Correa; Mário Henrique de Barros; Andrezza Maria Fernandes; Myrna Sabino; Evelise Oliveira Telles

• Advisor: Benedito Correa

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of crop rotation systems on the infection of maize grains and mulch by F. verticillioides and on the presence of fumonisins in maize samples collected in Palmital and Capão Bonito. Surface seeding (DG18) and direct seeding (DRBC) were employed for fungal isolations from mulch and maize, respectively. Identified isolates belonging to the genus Fusarium were further classified at the species level. Analysis of the mulch mycobiota revealed a higher frequency of Cladosporium spp., whereas in maize samples, F. verticillioides was the most frequently isolated fungus. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for mycotoxicological analysis of the grain samples. Maize from Palmital and Capão Bonito presented fumonisins in 88.9% and 86.1% of the samples, respectively. From the F. verticillioides isolates, 84.6% were producing FB1 + FB2. The high incidence of F. verticillioides in maize grains represents a serious problem, due to its potential in causing diseases in humans and animals. (AU)