Fusarium spp. on maize in the Region wallonne: biodiversity and mycotoxin production

In Belgium, 8.3 million tons of maize plants are harvested annually from 222.000 hectares of farm land and mainly used as livestock feed (www.statbel.fgov.be, 2007). However, crop quality is often reduced by ear and stalk rot due to Fusarium spp., and their associated mycotoxins are a serious problem for human and animal health (Wilson et al., 1990; Rheeder et al., 1992; Chu & Li, 1994). A large number of Fusarium species has been associated with ear and stalks rots (Bottalico, 1998; Logrieco et al., 2002). Gibberella red ear rot and Fusarium stalk rot are caused by F. graminearum and F. c... Mehr ...