Investigation of Fusarium contamination in maize kernels from Guizhou Province

Abstract:

[Background] The crop diseases caused by Fusarium spp. are a frequent occurrence in Guizhou Province. As the climate characteristics of low temperature and high humidity in this region are not suitable for the mycelial growth of Fusarium pathogens, the infection and distribution of Fusarium have not been systematically investigated before. [Objective] To investigate the contamination of Fusarium spp. in the maize kernels collected from Guizhou Province. [Methods] Seventy-eight maize samples from 58 counties or county-level cities were collected and subjected to rapid immunoassay using prokaryotic expressed FvSG7-AP fusion protein that can be used to detect the presence of Fusarium pathogens in cereal grains. At the same time, biological culture tests were performed on some samples for further identification. [Results] A total of 67 samples were ascertained to be positive and the contamination rate was as high as 85.90%. The typical Fusarium mycelium and conidiospores were observed under microscope after biological culture. The Fusarium contaminated maize samples were distributed in 51 counties or county-level cities in Guizhou Province. Among them, mildly contaminated samples were detected in 19 regions, moderately contaminated samples were detected in 20 regions, and heavily contaminated samples were detected in 12 regions. [Conclusion] There are different degrees of Fusarium contamination in most parts of Guizhou. It is necessary to take effective prevention and control measures during the cultivation, harvesting and storage of crops to ensure food safety and human and animal health.