Genetic population structure and trichothecene genotypes of Fusarium graminearum isolated from wheat in southern Brazil

A sample of 140 Fusarium graminearum isolates from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, representing three populations at least 150 km from one another, were examined for trichothecene genotype based on PCR amplification of portions of the Tri3 and Tri12 genes and a species‐specific (Fg16F/R) primer pair. Genetic diversity was assessed in a sample of 103 F. graminearum lineage 7 (F. graminearum sensu stricto) isolates using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The 15‐ADON genotype was dominant, followed by the NIV genotype (2–18% prevalence), across all three populations. All NIV‐type isolates were in lineage 2 (F. meridionale) and all 15‐ADON‐type isolates were in lineage 7. Isolates with the same haplotype were rare and genotypic diversity was uniformly high (≥98% of the count), suggesting that recombination has played a significant role. The number of migrants (N_m) was estimated between 5 and 6 across all loci and all populations, but the high frequency of private alleles (up to 30%) suggests a historical, rather than contemporary, gene flow. Regarding linkage disequilibrium, 0·8, 1·5 and 2·2% of the locus pairs from the three populations were in disequilibrium, which is lower than values reported in other locations. Thus, Brazilian populations differ from those found in Europe, North America and most of Asia in the presence of a significant frequency (7·8%) of isolates of the NIV genotype in lineage 2.     

Trichothecene genotypes of Gibberella zeae from winter wheat fields in the eastern USA

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused principally by Gibberella zeae (Fusarium graminearum), is a devastating disease of small grains such as wheat and barley worldwide. Grain infected with G. zeae may be contaminated with trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). Strains of G. zeae that produce DON may also produce acetylated derivatives of DON: 3‐acetyl‐DON (3‐ADON) and 15‐acetyl‐DON (15‐ADON). Gradients (clines) of 3‐ADON genotypes in Canada have raised questions about the distribution of G. zeae trichothecene genotypes in wheat fields in the eastern USA. Tri3 and Tri12 genotypes were evaluated in 998 isolates of G. zeae collected from 39 winter wheat fields in New York (NY), Pennsylvania (PA), Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), Kentucky (KY) and North Carolina (NC). Ninety‐two percent (919/998) of the isolates were 15‐ADON, 7% (69/998) were 3‐ADON, and 1% (10/998) was NIV. A phylogenetic analysis based on portions of three genes (PHO, RED and URA) from 23 isolates revealed two species of Fusarium (F. graminearum sensu stricto and one isolate of F. cerealis (synonym F. crookwellense)). An increasing trend of 3‐ADON genotypes was observed from NC (south) to NY (north). Punctuated episodes of atmospheric transport may favour a higher frequency of 3‐ADON genotypes in the northeastern USA, near Canada, compared with the mid‐Atlantic states. Discoveries of the NIV genotype in NY and NC indicate the need for more intensive sampling in the surrounding regions.     

Fusarium populations on Chinese barley show a dramatic gradient in mycotoxin profiles

We report on a large gene bank of Fusarium isolates established by a broad survey conducted in 2005 in which infected barley ears were collected in 23 counties of seven provinces and two municipalities along the Yangtze River in China. In total, 1,894 single spore isolates were obtained. The isolates were characterized at the species level by a newly developed and robust set of diagnostic primers based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among members of the F. graminearum clade. In addition, we determined their chemotype using previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers. The results showed that in all regions F. asiaticum was the predominant species causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) on barley in China (N = 1,706), while in the upper valleys of the Yangtze River also F. graminearum sensu stricto, F. meridionale, and F. proliferatum were found. Major differences in the chemotypes were found in the F. asiaticum populations, from very high to exclusive nivalenol (NIV) chemotypes in the mountainous upper valleys of the Yangtze River to predominantly deoxynivalenol (DON) chemotypes in the middle and lower valleys. In contrast to the F. asiaticum isolates from three counties in Sichuan province, which were largely NIV producers (278 of 291), F. graminearum isolates from these sampling sites were for the vast majority (27 of 28) DON producers, indicating that despite sharing the same habitat, these sympatric species apparently have unique mycotoxin chemotypes.     

Diversity of the Fusarium graminearum species complex on French cereals

Fusarium graminearum is an important pathogen causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat and barley and Fusarium ear rot (FER) on maize, and harvested grains often are contaminated with trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) that are a major health and food safety concern due to their toxicity to humans and farm animals. In this study, species identity and trichothecene toxin potential of 294 members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) collected from wheat, barley and maize in France in 2011 was determined using a microsphere-based multilocus genotyping assay. F. graminearum was predominant on all three hosts, but three isolates of F. cortaderiae and two isolates representing F. graminearum × F. boothii hybrids were also identified from maize. The 15-ADON trichothecene chemotype predominated on all three hosts, representing 94.7 %, 87.8 % and 85.4 % of the strains on barley (N?=?19), wheat (N?=?90), and maize (N?=?185), respectively. However, the NIV chemotype was found in 12.2 % of the wheat isolates and in 14.6 % of the maize isolates. Only a single FGSC isolate from this study, originating from barley, was found to have the 3-ADON chemotype. Regional differences could be observed in the distribution of the 15-ADON and NIV chemotypes, with the NIV producing-isolates being present at higher frequency (21.2 %) in the South of France compared to the rest of the country (4.4 %). Such information is critical because of the increased concern associated with NIV contamination of cereals. In addition, these results are needed to develop management strategies for FHB and FER in France and to improve understanding of the distribution and significance of FGSC diversity in Europe and worldwide.     

Development of PCR assays to Tri7 and Tri13 trichothecene biosynthetic genes, and characterisation of chemotypes of Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium cerealis

Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium cerealis are major causal agents of Fusarium Head Blight (scab) which is a disease of global significance in all cereal growing areas. These fungi produce trichothecene mycotoxins, principally nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON). Genes Tri13 and Tri7 from the trichothecene biosynthetic gene cluster convert DON to NIV (Tri13) and NIV to 4-acetyl-NIV (Tri7). We have developed positive–negative PCR assays based on these two genes, which accurately indicate a DON or NIV chemotype in F. graminearum, F. culmorum and F. cerealis. These assays are useful in assessing the risk of trichothecene contamination, and can be informative in epidemiological studies. All NIV chemotype isolates studied have functional copies of both Tri13 and Tri7, and all DON-producing isolates have both genes disrupted or deleted. We have identified several mutations in these genes, which are conserved across F. graminearum lineage, RAPD and SCAR groupings and between the three species. There appears to be evidence of inter-species hybridisation within the trichothecene biosynthetic gene cluster.     

Determination of deoxynivalenol and nivalenol chemotypes of Fusarium culmorum isolates from England and Wales by PCR assay

Functioning Tri13 and Tri7 genes are required for the production of nivalenol and 4-acetyl nivalenol, respectively, in Fusarium species producing type B trichothecenes. Mutations have been identified in isolates which are able to produce deoxynivalenol (DON) but unable to convert this to nivalenol (NIV). In such isolates of Fusarium culmorum , the Tri7 gene is deleted entirely. PCR assays specific for functional and nonfunctional/deleted versions of Tri7 and Tri13 were used to determine the ability of 153 single spore isolates of F. culmorum to produce the 8-ketotrichothecenes deoxynivalenol and nivalenol. The isolates were collected from 76 different locations across England and Wales between 1994 and 2002. Four isolates were also obtained from one field in Scotland. Both DON and NIV chemotypes of F. culmorum were identified, with DON chemotypes predominating overall. In addition, all DON chemotypes were shown to produce 3-acetyl DON using primer sets developed to Tri3 . From fields where more than one F. culmorum isolate was obtained, isolates were not exclusively of a single chemotype. Differences in the distribution of DON and NIV chemotypes were identified, with a greater proportion of NIV chemotypes present in the south and west of England and Wales, whereas a greater proportion of DON chemotypes were found in the north and east of England. Seasonal differences in the ratio of DON:NIV chemotypes were indicated. However, these were related to seasonal variation in the distribution of F. culmorum .     

Pathogenicity and In Planta Mycotoxin Accumulation Among Members of the Fusarium graminearum Species Complex on Wheat and Rice

ABSTRACT Fusarium head blight (FHB), or scab, is a destructive disease of small grains caused by members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex, comprised of at least nine distinct, cryptic species. Members of this complex are known to produce mycotoxins including the trichothecenes deoxynivalenol (DON) along with its acetylated derivatives and nivalenol (NIV). In this study, 31 strains, belonging to eight species of this complex and originating from diverse hosts or substrates, were tested for differences in aggressiveness and mycotoxin production. Large variation among strains, both in terms of their aggressiveness and the ability to produce trichothecenes on a susceptible cultivar of wheat was found; variation appears to be a strain-specific rather than species-specific characteristic. While pathogenicity was not influenced by the type of mycotoxin produced, a significant correlation was observed between the amount of the dominant trichothecene (DON and its acetylated forms or NIV) produced by each strain and its level of aggressiveness on wheat. Some isolates also were tested for their ability to infect rice cv. M201, commonly grown in the United States. While tested strains were capable of infecting rice under greenhouse conditions and causing significant amount of disease, no trichothecenes could be detected from the infected rice florets.     

Identification,virulence factors characterization,pathogenicity and aggressiveness analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> spp., causing wheat head blight in Iran

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) and also by other species of this genus, is one of the most destructive cereal diseases with high yield losses and mycotoxin contamination worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify Fusarium species, characterize their virulence factors such as trichothecene genotypes and cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs), and also investigate virulence of the isolates obtained from wheat plants with FHB symptoms in Golestan province of Iran. Among 41 isolates tested, 24 were F. graminearum sensu stricto (s.s.), six were F. proliferatum, four were F. culmorum, three isolates belonged to each of F. subglutinans and F. meridionale species and one isolate of F. asiaticum was identified. Among Fusarium isolates, the nivalenol (NIV) genotype could be found more frequently, followed by 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol (15-ADON) genotypes. Production of trichothecenes in autoclaved rice cultures was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and confirmed by GC–MS. The mean levels of NIV, 3-ADON and 15-ADON produced by Fusarium spp. were 824, 665 and 622 μg kg^?1, respectively. All Fusarium isolates were capable of producing CWDEs, mainly cellulase and xylanase. Lipase and pectinase activities appeared later and at less quantities. In overall, the isolates FH1 of F. graminearum and FH8 of F. proliferatum showed the maximum activity of CWDEs, which was correlated with high level of their virulence and aggressiveness on wheat. On the other hand, correlation was observed between the level and type of trichothecene produced by each isolate and its virulence on wheat. Virulence of trichothecene producing isolates was higher than that of non-trichothecene producing isolates. Our results suggested that CWDEs and trichothecenes, as virulence factors, have considerable roles on virulence and aggressiveness of the pathogen. This is the first report on the effect of trichothecenes and CWDEs on virulence and aggressiveness of Fusarium spp. associated with FHB disease in wheat growing regions of Iran.     

A comparison of aggressiveness and deoxynivalenol production between Canadian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> isolates with 3-acetyl and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol chemotypes in field-grown spring wheat

Twenty four isolates of Fusarium graminearum, half of which were 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and half 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) chemotypes, were tested for their ability to produce deoxynivalenol and to cause Fusarium head blight (FHB) in spring wheat cultivars. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) whether 3-ADON isolates differ in aggressiveness, as measured by the FHB index, and DON production from 15-ADON isolates under field conditions, and (2) whether the performance of resistant host cultivars was stable across isolates. Field tests of all isolates were conducted with three replicates at each of two locations in Canada and Germany in 2008 with three host genotypes differing in FHB resistance level. The resistant host genotype showed resistance regardless of the chemotype or location. The differences between mean FHB indices of 3-ADON and 15-ADON isolates were not significant for any wheat genotype. In contrast, average DON production by the 3-ADON isolates (10.44 mg kg⁻¹) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for the 15-ADON isolates (6.95 mg kg⁻¹) at three of the four locations where moderately resistant lines were tested, and at both locations where susceptible lines were evaluated. These results indicate that 3-ADON isolates could pose a greater risk to food safety. However, as the mean aggressiveness and DON production of 3-ADON and 15-ADON chemotypes was similar on highly resistant lines, breeding and use of highly resistant lines is still the most effective measure of reducing the risks associated with DON in wheat.     

Comparison of genetic diversity and pathogenicity of fusarium head blight pathogens from China and Europe by SSCP and seedling assays on wheat

The genetic diversity and pathogenicity of isolates of Fusarium graminearum and F. asiaticum isolated from wheat heads in China were examined and compared with those of isolates of F. graminearum , F. asiaticum and F. meridionale from Europe, USA and Nepal. Genetic diversity was assessed by SSCP (single strand conformation polymorphism) and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) analysis and by molecular chemotyping. SSCP analysis of the Fg16F/Fg16R PCR amplicon differentiated F. graminearum , F. asiaticum and F. meridionale and revealed three haplotypes among sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) type 1 F. graminearum isolates. AFLP analysis showed a high level of genetic diversity and clustered the majority of Chinese isolates in one group along with other isolates of Asian origin. The second cluster contained F. graminearum isolates from China, Europe and the USA. Of the Chinese isolates, 79% were F. asiaticum and 81% of these were of the 3-AcDON chemotype, with only 9·5% of either chemotype 15-AcDON or NIV. All the Chinese and USA isolates of F. graminearum were 15-AcDON, whereas among the isolates from Europe, 21% were NIV and 8% were 3-AcDON chemotype. No evidence was found for possible differences in aggressiveness between F. graminearum and F. asiaticum . Highly aggressive isolates were present in each region and no evidence was found for any association between aggressiveness and geographical origin or chemotype among the isolates examined. No difference was observed in pathogenicity towards wheat seedlings between Chinese isolates and those from Europe, the USA or Nepal.     

北京市及河北省小麦赤霉病菌群体遗传结构及生物学特性

本文分析了北京市与河北省小麦赤霉病菌群体遗传结构以及基础生物学特性。结果表明所有菌株均为禾谷镰刀菌(Fusarium graminearum),属于一个大的单一群体,群体内具有较高的遗传多样性。毒素化学型测定表明,北京与河北地区小麦真菌毒素污染的主要风险为DON与15ADON毒素。表型测定显示,与F.asiaticum群体相比,F.graminearum具有较高的产孢能力,而生长速率和产毒能力较低。该群体对主要杀菌剂多菌灵、戊唑醇和氰烯菌酯均无抗药性。     

Variation in Pathogenicity Associated with the Genetic Diversity of Fusarium graminearum

We screened 188 isolates of Fusarium graminearum, which originated from northwest Europe, the USA and Nepal, for genetic diversity using a sequence-characterised amplified region polymorphism (SCAR). On the basis of this analysis, 42 of the 118 isolates were selected for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Three groups were identified, two of which, A and B, contained the isolates from Nepal, and a third, group C, contained the isolates from Europe and the USA. In pathogenicity tests on wheat and maize seedlings, group C isolates were more pathogenic than the group A and B isolates. The isolates were assigned chemotypes based on their ability to produce the trichothecene mycotoxins nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON). Isolates from group A were equally likely to produce NIV or DON while group B isolates produced predominantly NIV, and group C isolates produced predominantly DON. Within group A, isolates of the two chemotypes were equally pathogenic to wheat but isolates with the NIV chemotype were significantly more pathogenic to maize. The results confirm that distinct genetic groups exist within F. graminearum and demonstrate that these groups have different biological properties, especially with respect to their pathogenicity to two of the most economically important hosts of this pathogen.     

Real-time PCR Quantification and Mycotoxin Production of Fusarium graminearum in Wheat Inoculated with Isolates Collected from Potato, Sugar Beet, and Wheat

ABSTRACT Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grains worldwide. Although primarily a pathogen of cereals, it also can infect noncereal crops such as potato and sugar beet in the United States. We used a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on intergenic sequences specific to the trichodiene synthase gene (Tri5) from F. graminearum. TaqMan probe and primers were designed and used to estimate DNA content of the pathogen (FgDNA) in the susceptible wheat cv. Grandin after inoculation with the 21 isolates of F. graminearum collected from potato, sugar beet, and wheat. The presence of nine mycotoxins was analyzed in the inoculated wheat heads by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. All isolates contained the Tri5 gene and were virulent to cv. Grandin. Isolates of F. graminearum differed significantly in virulence (expressed as disease severity), FgDNA content, and mycotoxin accumulation. Potato isolates showed greater variability in producing different mycotoxins than sugar beet and wheat isolates. Correlation analysis showed a significant (P < 0.001) positive relationship between FgDNA content and FHB severity or deoxynivalenol (DON) production. Moreover, a significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation between FHB severity and DON content was observed. Our findings revealed that F. graminearum causing potato dry rot and sugar beet decay could be potential sources of inoculum for FHB epidemics in wheat. Real-time PCR assay provides sensitive and accurate quantification of F. graminearum in wheat and can be useful for monitoring the colonization of wheat grains by F. graminearum in controlled environments, and evaluating wheat germplasms for resistance to FHB.     

小麦不同生育期施用丙硫菌唑及施用次数对小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素的控制效果

为探明在小麦不同生育期施用新型杀菌剂丙硫菌唑及施用次数对小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素总量[包括脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)?3-乙酰脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(3-ADON)?15-乙酰脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(15-ADON)]的控制效果, 2020年-2021年通过田间自然发病和人工接种发病试验的方法, 研究了小麦不同生育期施用丙硫菌唑及施用次数对小麦赤霉病的防效, 并通过液相色谱-串联质谱法测定了不同处理小麦籽粒中对DON毒素总含量?结果表明, 30%丙硫菌唑可分散油悬浮剂(OD)防治2次对小麦赤霉病的防效和对DON毒素的控制效果均显著高于防治1次; 防治2次时, 其首次最佳防治时期为小麦齐穗期至扬花20%, 防效为90.25%~95.13%, 毒素控制效果为77.35%~79.97%?30%丙硫菌唑OD作为防控小麦赤霉病的新型药剂具有良好的应用前景, 本研究为该药剂推广应用于小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素的防控提供了科学依据?     

小麦赤霉病流行区镰刀菌致病种及毒素化学型分析

 为从分子水平上明确小麦赤霉病流行区镰刀菌致病种及其B 型毒素化学型的分布特点,本研究对2008 年度采自四川、重庆、湖北、安徽、江苏、河南6 省33 县市的赤霉病穗上分离获得的433 个镰刀菌单孢菌株,用鉴定种和鉴定B 型毒素化学型的特异性引物进行了鉴定分析。致病种检测结果表明,四川病穗检测到Fusarium asiaticum、F. graminearum、F.avenaceum 和F. meridionale 4 个镰刀菌种,重庆、湖北、安徽和江苏病穗检测到F. asiaticum 和F. graminearum 2 个种,河南病穗仅检测到F. graminearum 1 个种。毒素化学型检测结果表明,Nivalenol(NIV)是四川和重庆镰刀菌主要毒素化学型,Deoxynivalenol(DON)是湖北、河南、安徽和江苏镰刀菌主要毒素化学型;将DON 化学型进一步划分为3-AcDON 和15-AcDON 显示,四川、湖北、江苏镰刀菌毒素以3-AcDON 为主,安徽镰刀菌毒素为3-AcDON 和15-AcDON 两者参半,河南镰刀菌全部产生15-AcDON。结果揭示,F. asiaticum 是四川、重庆、湖北和江苏等赤霉病流行麦区的优势致病种;镰刀菌产生的DON 和NIV 毒素化学型存在明显的地域分布,长江上游的麦区以NIV 为优势化学型,长江中下游麦区以DON 为优势化学型;镰刀菌致病种与DON 毒素的化学型间存在一定关系。     

不同杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素的控制效果

为探明不同杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病和小麦籽粒DON毒素(包括DON、3-ADON和15-ADON)的控制效果, 采用菌丝生长速率法测定了12种药剂对禾谷镰刀菌野生型菌株PH-1的室内活性, 同时采用液相色谱-串联质谱法(LC-MS)测定了这些药剂对DON毒素的抑制效果, 并开展了小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素的田间防治试验。结果表明, 12种原药对菌丝生长抑制活性强弱依次为氟唑菌酰羟胺>咪鲜胺>戊唑醇>丙硫菌唑>叶菌唑>氰烯菌酯>氟环唑>多菌灵>甲基硫菌灵>吡唑醚菌酯>嘧菌酯>井冈霉素A。氟环唑EC50和EC90离体胁迫均刺激DON毒素产生, 其他杀菌剂EC50和EC90胁迫均抑制DON毒素产生。田间试验结果表明, 200 g/L氟唑菌酰羟胺SC、30%丙硫菌唑OD和20%叶菌唑WP病指防效和DON防效为87.68%~94.77%; 430 g/L戊唑醇SC、25%氰烯菌酯SC、45%咪鲜胺EW、25%氟环唑SC、50%多菌灵WP和70%甲基硫菌灵WP病指防效和DON防效为57.63%%~85.49%; 250 g/L吡唑醚菌酯EC和250 g/L嘧菌酯SC病指防效分别为72.18%和51.98%, DON防效分别为43.06%和-7.96%; 24%井冈霉素A AS病指防效和DON防效分别为42.37%和62.87%。药剂离体和田间控毒效果不完全一致, 赤霉病有效防控是DON防控的前提, 病害防效与DON防效不完全一致, 本研究为小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素防控提供了科学依据。     

Repression of deoxynivalenol accumulation and expression of Tri genes in Fusarium culmorum by fungicides in vitro

A defined medium was developed in which to monitor deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation, fungal growth and expression of genes involved in trichothecene biosynthesis (designated Tri genes). In liquid culture, DON accumulated shortly after maximum expression of Tri6 and coincident with expression of Tri5. This was generally 96 h after inoculation. The effects of sublethal concentrations of the fungicides azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl and tebuconazole on biosynthesis of the trichothecene DON by Fusarium culmorum were studied using this medium. The strobilurin fungicides trifloxystrobin and azoxystrobin significantly reduced the accumulation of DON in culture medium at a range of concentrations. Kresoxim-methyl, also a strobilurin, and tebuconazole, a triazole, did not significantly reduce the accumulation of DON, although levels were lower than those in nonamended cultures. Trifloxystrobin significantly reduced the accumulation of DON when added to cultures before initiation of trichothecene biosynthesis. RT-PCR assays of the expression of Tri6 and Tri5 genes indicated that trifloxystrobin acted by inhibiting the initiation of trichothecene biosynthesis.     

Fusarium pseudograminearum as an emerging pathogen of crown rot of wheat in eastern China

Fusarium crown rot of wheat has been spreading in the Huanghuai wheat-growing area in China since 2010, leading to a potential yield loss. To investigate the pathogens associated with this disease in Jiangsu and Shandong provinces in recent years, 617 Fusarium isolates were isolated from nine sites in these two provinces between 2014 and 2016. Of these isolates, 372 were identified as Fusarium pseudograminearum, and the remaining isolates were identified as F. asiaticum and F. graminearum, suggesting that F. pseudograminearum is becoming a predominant causative pathogen of crown rot of wheat in eastern China. Trichothecene gene detection and chemical analyses of trichothecenes indicated that the F. pseudograminearum isolates belonged to the 3-ADON or 15-ADON chemotype, and one isolate had the NIV genotype but produced no detectable NIV. 3-ADON isolates were predominant in Jiangsu, whereas 15-ADON isolates were prevalent in Shandong. The mating type of the F. pseudograminearum isolates were identified. MAT-1 and MAT-2 existed, but in most collections, particularly those in Jiangsu, the ratios of the two mating types deviated significantly from an expected 1:1 ratio. The reason for the occurrence of F. pseudograminearum is hypothesized, and the chemotype and mating type distribution of this species in these two provinces are analysed.     

Nivalenol‐producing Fusarium cerealis associated with fusarium head blight in winter wheat in Manitoba,Canada

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grain cereals is primarily caused by the members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex. These produce mycotoxins in infected grains, primarily deoxynivalenol (DON); acetylated derivatives of DON, 3‐acetyl‐DON (3‐ADON) and 15‐acetyl‐DON (15‐ADON); and nivalenol (NIV). This study reports the isolation of Fusarium cerealis in infected winter wheat heads for the first time in Canada. A phylogenetic analysis based on the TRI101 gene and F. graminearum species‐specific primers revealed two species of Fusarium: F. graminearum sensu stricto (127 isolates) and F. cerealis (five isolates). Chemotype determination based on the TRI3 gene revealed that 65% of the isolates were 3‐ADON, 31% were 15‐ADON and 4% were NIV producers. All the F. cerealis isolates were of NIV chemotype. Fusarium cerealis isolates can often be misidentified as F. graminearum as the morphological characteristics are similar. Although the cultural and macroconidial characteristics of F. graminearum and F. cerealis isolates were similar, the aggressiveness of these isolates on susceptible wheat cultivar Roblin and moderately resistant cultivar Carberry differed significantly. The F. graminearum 3‐ADON isolates were most aggressive, followed by F. graminearum 15‐ADON and F. cerealis NIV isolates. The findings from this study confirm the continuous shift of chemotypes from 15‐ADON to 3‐ADON in North America. In Canada, the presence of NIV is limited to barley samples and the discovery of NIV‐producing F. cerealis species in Canadian wheat fields may pose a serious concern to the Canadian wheat industry in the future.