Toxin Profile, Fertility and AFLP Analysis of Fusarium verticillioides from Banana Fruits

Gibberella fujikuroi is composed of at least nine mating populations (MPs), corresponding to biological species and assigned letters (from A to I). Each MP possesses a specific toxicological profile and a preferential host. Members of Fusarium verticillioides and F. thapsinum, anamorphs respectively of MPs A (G. moniliformis) and F (G. thapsina), share identical morphological traits, but they have a different preferential hosts (maize and sorghum, respectively) and toxin profiles, beingable the only member of MP A to produce fumonisins and the only member of MP F to produce moniliformin. Isolates from banana fruits were identified morphologically as F. verticillioides. The isolates were analyzed for fumonisin and moniliformin production. While none of the isolates produced fumonisin, all the isolates produced moniliformin. The isolates were crossed with tester strains of MPs A and F, showing ability to produce fertile perithecia only when crossed by MP A tester strains isolated from maize. However, the time required for the formation of fertile perithecia and their size differed significantly from the usual fertile crosses of strains belonging to MP A. Pathogenicity tests using such isolates of F. verticillioides isolated from banana and a set of F. verticillioides isolates isolated from maize were also performed on banana fruits. The data showed that the isolates from banana were more pathogenic. Finally, isolates from banana and maize were compared using AFLP. The results revealed that isolates from banana and maize produced two distinctly different clusters. In conclusion, isolates of F. verticillioides from banana showed specific traits (toxin production, in vitro fertility, pathogenicity and molecular profiles), that were different to those of the same species from maize. This could reflect important differences in the ecology and natural history of the population from banana and should encourage further investigations into the mechanisms of toxin production and pathogenicity within the same MP.     

Pathological evaluation of host-specific AAL-toxins and fumonisin mycotoxins produced by Alternaria and Fusarium species

Host-specific AAL-toxins and mycotoxin fumonisins are structurally related and were originally isolated from the tomato pathotype of Alternaria alternata and from Fusarium verticillioides, respectively. Previous reports on the production of fumonisin derivatives by the tomato pathotype suggested a possible involvement in the pathogenicity of the pathogen. Here, we have evaluated the role of fumonisin in A. alternata–tomato interactions. The results indicate that highly pathogenic isolates of A. alternata tomato pathotype produce AAL-toxin as the sole toxin, strongly implicating it as a pathogenicity factor. The related compound, fumonisin, is also toxigenic and has infection-inducing activity on susceptible tomato plants.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

The conserved global regulator VeA is necessary for symptom production and mycotoxin synthesis in maize seedlings by Fusarium verticillioides

The veA or velvet gene is necessary for biosynthesis of mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites in Aspergillus species. In addition, veA has also been demonstrated to be necessary for normal seed colonization in Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The present study shows that veA homologues are broadly distributed in fungi, particularly in Ascomycetes. The Fusarium verticillioides veA orthologue, FvVE1, is also required for the synthesis of several secondary metabolites, including fumonisin and fusarins. This study also shows that maize plants grown from seeds inoculated with FvVE1 deletion mutants did not show disease symptoms, while plants grown from seeds inoculated with the F. verticillioides wildtype and complementation strains clearly showed disease symptoms under the same experimental conditions. In this latter case, the presence of lesions coincided with accumulation of fumonisins in the plant tissues, and only these plant tissues had elevated levels of sphingoid bases and their 1-phosphate derivatives, indicating inhibition of ceramide synthase and disruption of sphingolipid metabolism. The results strongly suggest that FvVE1 is necessary for pathogenicity by F. verticillioides against maize seedlings. The conservation of veA homologues among ascomycetes suggests that veA could play a pivotal role in regulating secondary metabolism and associated pathogenicity in other fungi.     

Relationships between seed germination, fumonisin content, and Fusarium verticillioides infection in selected maize samples from different regions of Costa Rica

Thirty-five maize seed samples from three geographic regions of Costa Rica were analysed for fumonisin content, germinability, and Fusarium verticillioides infection with and without surface disinfection. The concentration of fumonisins in the maize samples varied from 4 ng g⁻¹ to 16 000 ng g⁻¹ with an all over-all average of 2500 ng g⁻¹. There was a significant difference in fumonisin content between samples from Alajuela and Guanacaste. Germination of the seed samples ranged from 12% to 98% with significant differences between regions. F. verticillioides infection was 12–98% and 13–97% for surface-disinfected and nondisinfected seeds, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation ( r  = -0.52) between fumonisin content and seed germination, but no significant correlation was found between fumonisin content and F. verticillioides infection, or between F. verticillioides infection and seed germination. Most of the high fumonisin seed samples had some mechanical or insect damage. Whether or not the fumonisins had a direct effect on germination was not further established. It is concluded that the large differences in fumonisin content of maize seeds within and between regions are primarily caused by differences in seed quality, genetic diversity of F. verticillioides strains in natural populations, climatic differences between regions, and varietal differences. Some of the fumonisin levels found in this study coincide with levels associated with risks to humans and animals in other countries.     

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service research on pre-harvest prevention of mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic fungi in US crops

Mycotoxins (ie toxins produced by molds) are fungal metabolites that can contaminate foods and feeds and cause toxic effects in higher organisms that consume the contaminated commodities. Therefore, mycotoxin contamination of foods and feeds results is a serious food safety issue and affects the competitiveness of US agriculture in both domestic and export markets. This article highlights research accomplished by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratories on control of pre-harvest toxin contamination by using biocontrol, host-plant resistance enhancement and integrated management systems. Emphasis is placed on the most economically relevant mycotoxins, namely aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, Link, trichothecenes produced by various Fusarium spp and fumonisins produced by F verticillioides. Significant inroads have been made in establishing various control strategies such as development of atoxigenic biocontrol fungi that can outcompete their closely related, toxigenic cousins in field environments, thus reducing levels of mycotoxins in the crops. Potential biochemical and genetic resistance markers have been identified in crops, particularly in corn, which are being utilized as selectable markers in breeding for resistance to aflatoxin contamination. Prototypes of genetically engineered crops have been developed which: (1) contain genes for resistance to the phytotoxic effects of certain trichothecenes, thereby helping reduce fungal virulence, or (2) contain genes encoding fungal growth inhibitors for reducing fungal infection. Gene clusters housing the genes governing formation of trichothecenes, fumonisins and aflatoxins have been elucidated and are being targeted in strategies to interrupt the biosynthesis of these mycotoxins. Ultimately, a combination of strategies using biocompetitive fungi and enhancement of host-plant resistance may be needed to adequately prevent mycotoxin contamination in the field. To achieve this, plants may be developed that resist fungal infection and/or reduce the toxic effects of the mycotoxins themselves, or interrupt mycotoxin biosynthesis. This research effort could potentially save affected agricultural industries hundreds of millions of dollars during years of serious mycotoxin outbreaks.     

大豆根腐病原镰孢菌种群多样性DGGE分析及其致病性研究

 应用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术以及主成分分析方法,结合植物病原菌传统分离、鉴定及致病力测定,检测位于黑龙江省海伦市大豆连作定位试验区根腐病原镰孢菌的种群构成及其致病力。采用真菌传统分离和鉴定方法共确定镰孢菌6个种,包括燕麦镰孢Fusarium avenaceum、木贼镰孢F. equiseti、禾谷镰孢F. graminearum、腐皮镰孢F. solani、尖镰孢F. oxysporum和拟轮枝镰孢F. verticillioides。其中,尖镰孢菌的分离频率最高,为56.7%。结合DGGE条带克隆测序及系统发育分析鉴定出8种镰孢菌,较传统方法增加了黄色镰孢F. culmorum和一个尖镰孢近似种。同时,DGGE图谱中尖镰孢所占百分比下降为37.4%。采用主成分分析方法将大豆生育指标相关的多种变量进行降维分析,得到第一主成分贡献值为91.2%。按照贡献值的正负结果,将30株镰孢菌分为致病和非致病类群。第二主成分贡献值为5.8%,根据其正负值可以矫正被错误估计的致病能力。综合所有研究结果,该定位试验区大豆根腐病主要病原镰孢菌为尖镰孢、禾谷镰孢和燕麦镰孢,且以尖镰孢菌为优势病原菌。     

玉米穗粒腐病的病原菌鉴定及致病性测试

在陕西省25个县调查玉米穗粒腐病,采集病穗标样570份。霉坏籽粒达到果穗面积1/3以上的发病严重果穗占35.61％。分离得到1308个菌株,鉴定为17个种,分属14个属,其中串珠镰刀菌出现频率最高,占42.58％,其次为禾谷镰刀菌,占20.34％。对串珠镰刀菌、禾谷镰刀菌等10种主要病原菌进行致病性测试,平均病级1.14～2.41,病情指数22.9～48.4。串珠镰刀菌是玉米穗粒腐病的优势病原菌,禾谷镰刀菌为次优势菌种。     

Survival of Fusarium moniliforme, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans in Maize Stalk Residue

ABSTRACT The roles of residue size and burial depth were assessed in the survival of Fusarium moniliforme, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans in maize stalk residue. Stalk pieces (small or large sizes) were soaked in a spore suspension of F. moniliforme, F. proliferatum, or F. subglutinans and placed in a field on the soil surface or buried at 15- or 30-cm depths. Residue pieces were recovered periodically, cultured on a selective medium, and microscopically examined for the presence of the inoculated Fusarium species. After 630 days, the inoculated Fusarium species were recovered from 0 to 50% of the inoculated stalk pieces in a long-term, continuous maize field, from 0 to 28% of the inoculated stalk pieces placed in a maize/soybean/oat rotation field, and from 0 to 25% of the noninoculated stalk pieces at both locations. Residue size and residue depth had significant effects on survival, but there were significant interactions among strain, depth, residue size, and time. Up to 343 days after placement in the field, survival of the three Fusarium species was not consistently different between buried residues and surface residues, but after 630 days, survival was greater from surface residues. Overall, fungus survival decreased more slowly in the surface residues than in the buried residues. Linear coefficients of determination ranged from 0.35 to 0.82 for the surface residues and from 0.81 to 0.98 for the buried residues. Decline in survival over time followed a more linear pattern in buried residues than in surface residues. Vegetative compatibility tests confirmed that F. moniliforme, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans strains can survive at least 630 days in surface or buried maize residue. These results demonstrate that maize residue can act as a long-term source of inoculum for infection of maize plants by these three Fusarium species.     

Toxigenic Fusarium Species and Mycotoxins Associated with Maize Ear Rot in Europe

Several Fusarium species occurring worldwide on maize as causal agents of ear rot, are capable of producing mycotoxins in infected kernels, some of which have a notable impact on human and animal health. The main groups of Fusarium toxins commonly found are: trichothecenes, zearalenones, fumonisins, and moniliformin. In addition, beauvericin and fusaproliferin have been found in Fusarium-infected maize ears. Zearalenone and deoxynivalenol are commonly found in maize red ear rot, which is essentially caused by species of the Discolour section, particularly F. graminearum. Moreover, nivalenol and fusarenone-X were often found associated with the occasional occurrence of F. cerealis, and diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin with the occurrence of F. poae and F. sporotrichioides, respectively. In addition, the occurrence of F. avenaceum and F. subglutinans usually led to the accumulation of moniliformin. In maize pink ear rot, which is mainly caused by F. verticillioides, there is increasing evidence of the wide occurrence of fumonisin B₁. This carcinogenic toxin is usually found in association with moniliformin, beauvericin, and fusaproliferin, both in central Europe due to the co-occurrence of F. subglutinans, and in southern Europe where the spread of F. verticillioides is reinforced by the widespread presence of F. proliferatum capable of producing fumonisin B₁, moniliformin, beauvericin, and fusaproliferin.     

安徽省玉米穗腐病主要致病镰孢菌的分离与鉴定

为明确安徽省玉米穗腐病主要致病镰孢菌的种类,采用单孢分离、形态学鉴定和分子生物学鉴定的方法,对2017年采集自安徽省6个玉米主产区——合肥市、蚌埠市、淮北市、阜阳市、亳州市和宿州市的玉米穗腐病病样进行了分离鉴定。在获得的455株镰孢菌中,拟轮枝镰孢菌、禾谷镰孢复合种、层出镰孢菌、尖孢镰孢菌和黄色镰孢菌的分离频率分别为59.13%、21.28%、13.68%、5.12%和0.79%。其中拟轮枝镰孢菌在各地的分布最广,属于安徽省的优势致病镰孢菌。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> species and mycotoxin profiles on commercial maize hybrids in Germany

High year-to-year variability in the incidence of Fusarium spp. and mycotoxin contamination was observed in a two-year survey investigating the impact of maize ear rot in 84 field samples from Germany. Fusarium verticillioides, F. graminearum, and F. proliferatum were the predominant species infecting maize kernels in 2006, whereas in 2007 the most frequently isolated species were F. graminearum, F. cerealis and F. subglutinans. Fourteen Fusarium-related mycotoxins were detected as contaminants of maize kernels analyzed by a multi-mycotoxin determination method. In 2006, a growth season characterized by high temperature and low rainfall during anthesis and early grain filling, 75% of the maize samples were contaminated with deoxynivalenol, 34% with fumonisins and 27% with zearalenone. In 2007, characterized by moderate temperatures and frequent rainfall during the entire growth season, none of the 40 maize samples had quantifiable levels of fumonisins while deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were detected in 90% and 93% of the fields, respectively. In addition, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxnivalenol, moniliformin, beauvericin, nivalenol and enniatin B were detected as common contaminants produced in both growing seasons. The results demonstrate a significant mycotoxin contamination associated with maize ear rots in Germany and indicate, with regard to anticipated climate change, that fumonisins-producing species already present in German maize production may become more important.     

Quantitative detection of Fusarium pathogens and their mycotoxins in South African maize

The distribution and co‐occurrence of four Fusarium species and their mycotoxins were investigated in maize samples from two susceptible cultivars collected at 14 localities in South Africa during 2008 and 2009. Real‐time PCR was used to quantify the respective Fusarium species in maize grain, and mycotoxins were quantified by multi‐toxin analysis using HPLC‐MS. In 2008, F. graminearum was the predominant species associated with maize ear rot in the eastern Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu‐Natal provinces, while F. verticillioides was predominant in the Northwest, the western Free State and the Northern Cape provinces. In 2009, maize ear rot infection was higher and F. graminearum became the predominant species found in the Northwest province. Fusarium subglutinans was associated with maize ear rot in both years at most of the localities, while F. proliferatum was not detected from any of the localities. Type B trichothecenes, especially deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone were well correlated with the amount of F. graminearum, fumonisins with F. verticillioides, and moniliformin and beauvericin with F. subglutinans. This information is of great importance to aid understanding of the distribution and epidemiology of Fusarium species in South Africa, and for predicting mycotoxin contamination risks and implementing preventative disease management strategies.     

The relative importance of Colletotrichum musae as a crown-rot pathogen on Windward Island bananas

Low numbers of conidia of Colletotrichum musae (10–50) applied directly to the surface of freshly cut banana crowns caused extensive rot development. At least 20 times more conidia of Fusarium pallidoroseum were required to cause comparable levels of crown rot. Examination of the relative pathogenicity of the major fungal species involved in development of crown rot, C. musae, F. pallidoroseum, Fusarium moniliforme, F. moniliforme var. subglutinans , and Botryodiplodia theobromae , using a standard inoculum of 2 × 10³ conidia per crown, showed C. musae to be the most aggressive species. C. musae produced a distinctive soft, dry fibrous rot while the fruit was still green, and on ripening further rotting, softening and blackening of crown tissues occurred. The other crown-rot pathogens tested did not rot green fruit.
Fruit inoculated with C. musae and held for 0, 1, 2 and 3 days at ambient temperature before ripening sustained increasingly more severe crown rot. C. musae was isolated with increasing frequency from rotting tissue the longer the period under ambient conditions. Crowns which had been inoculated with F. pallidoroseum and held for a comparable period did not display such extensive rot development although the pathogen was very frequently isolated from the tissue.     

常熟地区蚕豆枯萎病病原菌鉴定及其致病力初探

2000、2001年在江苏省常熟地区采集了有典型枯萎症状的蚕豆标样各50个,获94个镰刀菌单孢菌株。经鉴定分别属于尖孢镰孢(Fusarium axysporum)、燕麦镰孢(F.avenaceum)、串珠镰孢(F.moniliforme )、木贼镰孢(F.equiseti)、三线镰孢(F.tricinctum)、禾谷镰孢(F.graminearum)和茄镰孢(F.solani),其中尖孢镰孢、燕麦镰孢、串珠镰孢、木贼镰孢为该地区蚕豆镰刀菌枯萎病的主要病原菌。测定了48个镰刀菌菌株对蚕豆的致病力,尖孢镰孢、木贼镰孢、串珠镰孢和燕麦镰孢对蚕豆的致病力都较强。用蚕豆枯萎病菌和棉花枯萎病菌交叉接种棉花和蚕豆,结果表明两者存在着较强的交互侵染能力。     

甘肃玉米穗腐病样品中轮枝镰孢菌的分离鉴定及生物学特性

 为了明确甘肃玉米穗腐病的病原种类, 于2009年9月在甘肃省四大生态区采集玉米穗腐病样品, 以组织分离法进行病原物的分离培养, 对分离得到的镰孢菌菌落进行纯化和单孢分离后, 以形态学为基础, 参照Leisle分类系统进行鉴定。结果表明:共分离到271株镰孢菌菌株, 其中以轮枝镰孢菌(Fusarium verticillioides)和黄色镰孢菌(F. culmorum)出现频率高, 属优势种。按照柯赫氏法则对沈单16和金穗96832进行致病性测定, 证实了轮枝镰孢菌对玉米果穗的致病性。选取2株轮枝镰孢菌菌株进行EF-1α(tef) 基因序列分析, 将PCR产物回收测序后在GenBank上比对, 菌株GSLT4-3-2与GenBank中登记的轮枝镰孢菌FN179339、FN179345和FN179338;GSTS24-2-1与轮枝镰孢菌FN179343、FN179346、FN179340、FN179344和 FN252384亲缘关系最近, 序列同源性达100%。轮枝镰孢菌GSYC17-2-1的生长温度范围为15～35℃, 最适温度为28℃, pH 值为8;菌落在pH值为4～10的培养基上能够迅速扩展, pH值为7时产孢量最大;碳源对轮枝镰孢菌菌丝生长影响相对稳定, 而氮源对其营养生长影响的变幅较大;完全黑暗条件下, 菌丝扩展最快, 12 h光暗交替对产孢量有明显的促进作用;病原菌菌丝致死温度为70℃, 10 min。     

Influence of Climatic Factors on Fusarium Species Pathogenic to Cereals

Fusarium head blight of small-grain cereals, ear rot of maize, seedling blight and foot rot of cereals are important diseases throughout the world. Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. poae, F. avenaceum and Microdochium nivale (formerly known as F. nivale) predominantly cause Fusarium diseases of small-grain cereals. Maize is predominantly attacked by F. graminearum, F. moniliforme, F. proliferatum and F. subglutinans. These species differ in their climatic distribution and in the optimum climatic conditions required for their persistence. This review deals with the influence of climate on the production and dispersal of inocula, growth, competition, mycotoxin production and pathogenicity. Most species produce inocula, grow best, and are most pathogenic to cereal heads at warm temperatures and under humid conditions. However, the optimal conditions for F. moniliforme and F. proliferatum maize ear rot tend to be hot and dry and M. nivale head blight, seedling blight and foot rot of small-grain cereals tend to occur under cooler conditions. Seedling blight and foot rot caused by other species are favoured by warm dry weather. Between them, these fungi produce four important classes of mycotoxins: trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins and moniliformin. Conditions favourable for in vitro growth are also generally the most favourable for mycotoxin production on cereal grains. These fungi rarely exist in isolation, but occur as a complex with each other and with other Fusaria and other fungal genera. Climatic conditions will influence competition between, and the predominance of, different fungi within this complex.     

Mango malformation disease and the associated fusarium species

ABSTRACT Mango malformation disease (MMD) occurs in Asia, Africa, and the Americas and was first reported in India in 1891. The vegetative form of MMD was first reproduced in 1966 with Fusarium moniliforme and the floral form with isolates of F. moniliforme var. subglutinans from both vegetative shoots and floral tissue. The fungi were subsequently recognized as F. subglutinans. In 2002, a new species, F. mangiferae, was established based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences; it included strains of F. subglutinans from Egypt, Florida, Israel, Malaysia, and South Africa, some of which had been shown to cause MMD by artificial inoculation. At least three additional taxa have been associated with MMD: F. sterilihyphosum from Brazil and South Africa, and Fusarium sp. nov. and F. proliferatum (teleomorph: Gibberella intermedia) from Malaysia. To date, Koch's postulates have not been completed with them. In the future, gene sequencing will be essential to identify the Fusarium spp. that are associated with MMD. Work remains to be done on the morphology, sexual compatibility, pathogenicity, and toxigenicity of these taxa.     

江苏省玉米茎腐病菌种类鉴定

作者于1992～1995年,从江苏省玉米主产区采集的玉米茎腐病标样中分离获得105个菌株,经鉴定,致病菌种类有肿囊腐霉(Pythium inflatum)、禾生腐霉(P.graminicola)、串珠镰孢浙江变种(Fusarium moniliforme var.zhejiangensis)、串珠镰孢中间变种(F.moniliforme var.intermedium)、串珠镰孢胶孢变种(F.moniliforme var.subglutinans)、禾谷镰孢(F.graminearum)、拟枝孢镰孢厚膜变种(F.sporotrichioides var.chlamydosporum)、尖孢镰孢芬芳变种(F.oxysporum var.redolens)、接骨木镰孢(F.sambucinum)、茄病镰孢(F.solani)、半裸镰孢(F.semitectum)等11个种或变种。其中串珠镰孢浙江变种出现频率最高,占44.8％,肿囊腐霉和禾生腐霉致病力最强,这两类菌是江苏玉米茎腐病主要病原。     

Pathogenicity, symptom development, and mycotoxin formation in wheat by Fusarium species frequently isolated from sugar beet

Crop rotations with putative non-host crops such as sugar beet are often recommended to reduce Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereals. However, recent observations have shown pathogenic, endophytic, and saprotrophic colonization of sugar beet with various Fusarium spp. Therefore, strains of seven species frequently isolated from sugar beet were tested for pathogenicity on wheat. Species-specific symptoms on heads and kernels were evaluated and the grains were analyzed for 20 mycotoxins with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. cerealis from sugar beet caused typical FHB symptoms and mycotoxin contamination with deoxynivalenol and nivalenol, while a high incidence of black point was observed in heads inoculated with F. tricinctum or F. equiseti. Black point kernels revealed 3.4 to 14.5 times higher mycotoxin concentrations than symptomless grains, containing enniatin B1 at 38,000 μg/kg, moniliformin at 4,900 μg/kg, and 2-amino-14,16-dimethyloctadecan-3-ol at 5,500 μg/kg, as well as monoacetoxyscirpenol at 2,600 μg/kg and nivalenol at 3,800 μg/kg. Monitoring of these latter two species in the field is hampered by the lack of typical head symptoms after infection. In further experiments, the impact of sugar beet residues on FHB severity and the correlation between mycotoxin contamination of cereal lots and the amount of black point have to be evaluated.