Fusarium verticillioides is the most commonly reported
fungal species infecting
maize (Zea mays).
Fusarium verticillioides is the accepted name of the species, which was also known as
Fusarium moniliforme. The
species has also been described as mating population A of the
Fusarium fujikuroi
species complex (formally known as Gibberella fujikuroi
species complex). F. verticllioides produces the mutagenic chemical compound fusarin C. F. verticillioides produces a group of disease-causing mycotoxins—fumonisins—on infected kernels.
Fusarium subglutinans is the anamorph of Gibberella fujikuroi.
Fusarium strains in the Gibberella fujikuroi
species complex cause diseases in a number of economically important plants. DNA sequencing data reveals the presence of two major groups representing cryptic
species in F. subglutinans. These were further divided into groups that appeared to be reproductively isolated in the environment which suggests that they are undergoing separation into distinct taxa. One such divergent group is
Fusarium subglutinans f. sp. pini which causes pitch canker of pine trees. It is a synonym of
Fusarium circinatum. Fusarins are a class of mycotoxins produced mainly by fungi of the genus Fusarium, which can infect agriculturally important crops such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and corn. Chemically, they are polyketides that are also derived from amino acids. Some members of the class, particularly fusarin C, are mutagenic.
Relevant Topics in General Science
