GROWTH OF FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES DEPENDENT ON CORN TISSUE TYPE

Authors: Yates, Ida; JAWORSKI, A - BOTANY, UNIV OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2001
Publication Date: 5/15/2001
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: No Interpretive summary required - Abstract of presentation for the American Oil Chemists' Society annual meeting, May 13-17, 2001, Minneapolis, MN.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium verticillioides, a fungus common on corn, can produce mycotoxins with harmful effects on human and animal health. Corn tissues susceptible to colonization need to be identified in order to target effective controls. Light and scanning electron microscopy were used to visualize corn vegetative and reproductive tissues following inoculation with F. verticillioides. The fungus was tagged with a reporter gene to verify developing mycelia were from the inoculum source, not from an external contaminant or an internal endophytic F. verticillioides. Vegetative tissues were dissected from roots, stems, and leaves; and reproductive tissues, from developing male and female inflorescence and fruits. In addition, mycelial development was analyzed on non-wounded and wounded mature kernels. F. verticillioides mycelial accumulation was more rapid and extensive on reproductive than vegetative plant tissue. F. verticillioide conidia inoculated on immature kernels formed a dense mycelial mat; whereas F. verticillioides conidia inoculated on mature kernels developed sparse hyphae, unless the kernels were wounded. Thus, type, maturity, and physical condition of maize plant tissues are factors responsible for in vitro differences in mycelia proliferation.