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Title: MIGRATION OF FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES IN MAIZE EARS

Author
item Yates, Ida
item SPARKS, DARRELL - HORT/UGA/ATHENS,GA

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2004
Publication Date: 7/15/2004
Citation: Yates, I.E., Sparks, D. 2004. Migration of fusarium verticillioides in maize ears [abstract]. Phytopathology. 94(6):S113.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract for American Phytopathological Society.

Technical Abstract: Mycotoxins harmful to humans and animals are produced during colonization of maize kernels by Fusarium verticillioides creating a need to understand the host/pathogen interactions between the two organisms. Current methodology is limited by a consistent supply of host tissue as reproductively mature maize plants can be produced only once each year in temperate climates under field conditions and is limited under greenhouse conditions. F. verticillioides migration was assessed in maize ears obtained from a local grocery store, as well as from greenhouse and field grown plants. The F. verticillioides isolate used for inoculation was tagged with the selection gene for hygromycin resistance and the marker gene for beta-glucuronidase ensuring the identification of the source of subsequent mycelial growth. F. verticillioidies colonized maize ears, regardless of source or incubation protocol. Migration of F. verticillioides proceeded both in an apical and a basal direction on the ear from the site of inoculation at the midpoint of total ear length, regardless of whether ears were attached or detached from the plant. Likewise, F. verticillioides migrated from the inoculation site both with shucks intact and removed. In summary, grocer ears can serve as a source of maize providing methodology for analyzing the relationship between maize and F. verticillioides to study this host/pathogen interaction regardless of the time of year.