Accumulation of toxigenic Fusarium species and Stenocarpella maydis in maize grain grown under different cropping systems

Maize is an important worldwide commodity susceptible to fungal contamination in the field, at harvest, and during storage. This work aimed to determine the occurrence of Fusarium spp. in maize grains produced in the Tagus Valley region of Portugal and the levels of related mycotoxins in the 2018 harvest and during their storage for six months in barrels, mimicking silos conditions. Continuous monitoring of temperature, CO2, and relative humidity levels were done, as well as the concentration of mycotoxins were evaluated and correlated with the presence of Fusarium spp. F. verticillioides was identified as the predominant Fusarium species. Zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and toxin T2 were not found at harvest and after storage. Maize grains showed some variability in the levels of fumonisins (Fum B1 and Fum B2). At the harvest, fumonisin B1 ranged from 1297 to 2037 µg/kg, and fumonisin B2 ranged from 411 to 618 µg/kg. Fumonisins showed a tendency to increase (20 to 40%) during six months of storage. Although a correlation between the levels of fumonisins and the monitoring parameters was not established, CO2 levels may be used to predict fungal activity during storage. The composition of the fungal population during storage may predict the incidence of mycotoxins.

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Content of some antioxidants in intercropped maize and soybean grain

Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade ◽

10.2298/jas1701031d ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 31-40

Author(s):

Vesna Dragicevic ◽

Snezana Oljaca ◽

Milena Simic ◽

Zeljko Dolijanovic ◽

Branka Kresovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Quality ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Cropping System ◽

Yellow Pigment ◽

Black Soybean ◽

Antioxidant Content ◽

Maize Grain ◽

And Control

Intercropping, as a combination of different crops at the same time and the same field, enables interaction of their roots, improving plant growth and stress tolerance, thus improving nutritional quality of produced grains. The investigation was aimed to examine the effect of different cropping systems: intercropping in combination with alternating rows and alternating strips of maize and soybean, as well as single cropping, combined with different fertilization regimes (conventional, application of organic fertilizer, bio-fertilizer and control) on the antioxidant content (glutathione [GSH], phenolics and yellow pigment [YP]) in red maize and black soybean grain. Black soybean is richer in antioxidants than red maize. Season expressed the highest influence on the level of GSH, phenolics and YP in maize and soybean, while cropping system and fertilization regime influenced GSH and phenolics. The antioxidant level in grains with greater weight corresponded with an increased GSH level for maize, as well as an increased GSH and phenolic level for soybean, while smaller grains were characterised by the increased YP content. Generally, antioxidant content was increased mainly by alternating strips in maize grain and by alternating rows in soybean grain. Bio-fertilizer had the highest impact on an increase in GSH in maize grain and YP in soybean grain, while organic fertilizer was important for acquiring of GSH and phenolics in soybean grain.

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Fungal contamination of maize grain samples with a special focus on toxigenic genera

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1702233k ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 233-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vesna Krnjaja ◽

Aleksandar Stanojkovic ◽

Slavica Stankovic ◽

Milos Lukic ◽

Zorica Bijelic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Feed ◽

Fusarium Species ◽

Preventive Measure ◽

Dilution Method ◽

Special Focus ◽

Continuous Control ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Toxigenic Fungi ◽

Maize Grain

In this study, the total fungal count and contamination with toxigenic fungi from Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium genera of 127 maize grain samples collected from animal farms in subrbs of Belgrade area during 2012-2015, were determined. The total fungal count was determined using a dilution method, and standard mycological procedures were used to identify potential toxigenic fungi genera. In the tested samples of maize grains, the total fungal count was from 1 x 101 to 3 x 106 cfu g-1. No statistically significant differences between investigated years in regard to the mean total fungal count were determined. According to the Regulation on the quality of animal feed of the Republic of Serbia, the total fungal count above permitted limit (2 x 105 cfu g-1) was established in 9.52, 7.89, 20.69 and 55.56% tested samples in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Potentially toxigenic fungi from Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillim genera have been identified as the most common in all the samples. In most of the samples, based on the average value for the four-year period (2012-2015), Fusarium species (92.22%) have been identified, followed by the species of the genera Aspergillus (80.83%) and Penicillium (48.68%). A weak positive correlation was established between the moisture content of the samples and the total fungal count in 2012 (r=0.41), in 2013 (r=0.27) and in 2014 (r=0.36) and the medium positive correlation (r=0.61) in 2015. Based on the results of mycological analysis of grain maize it can be concluded that the test samples in a relatively large number did not meet the criteria of hygienic quality. Therefore, regular and continuous control of the mycological quality of maize grain as the most important nutrient in animal nutrition is necessary as a preventive measure to reduce and control contamination of grain with mycotoxigenic fungi.

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RISK AND MAIZE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR SMALLHOLDER MALAWI FARMERS USING CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479713000306 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 483-503 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

A. R. NGWIRA ◽

C. THIERFELDER ◽

N. EASH ◽

D. M. LAMBERT

Keyword(s):

Production Systems ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Risk Averse ◽

Economic Returns ◽

Maize Production ◽

Risk Premiums ◽

Maize Grain

SUMMARYAgricultural production in southern Africa is constrained by numerous factors, including low soil fertility, frequent droughts and flooding, limited access to fertilizers and the use of unsustainable management techniques that increase soil erosion rates. Conservation agriculture (CA) is based on the principles of minimum soil disturbance, crop residue retention and crop rotations. CA systems have been proposed to alleviate the negative externalities associated with conventional crop management systems. This study was conducted to examine the riskiness of economic returns of CA technologies based on maize grain yield evaluated in 12 target communities in Malawi from 2005–2011. On average, maize grain yields on both CA treatments exceeded the conventional control treatment by 22.1–23.6%, with differences more distinct in low altitude areas with low rainfall and frequent seasonal dry spells. Stochastic dominance analysis suggest that CA technologies would be preferred by risk-averse farmers, with corresponding differences in risk premiums (compared to conventional maize production systems) ranging between US$40 and US$105. However, these rankings are sensitive to the agroecological zones where the experiments were conducted. The risk premiums associated with the CA technologies in low elevation regions are unambiguous. Risk-averse farmers in higher elevations may need substantial incentives to adopt some CA technologies.

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Effect of Environmental Factors on Fusarium Species and Associated Mycotoxins in Maize Grain Grown in Poland

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0133644 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. e0133644 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Elżbieta Czembor ◽

Łukasz Stępień ◽

Agnieszka Waśkiewicz

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Fusarium Species ◽

Maize Grain

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Manure for Cropping: A Case Study from Central Nigeria

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479700014009 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 15-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

J. Mark Powell

Keyword(s):

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Traditional Management ◽

Weed Growth ◽

Full Benefit ◽

Maize Grain ◽

On Farm ◽

Savanna Zone

SUMMARYThe traditional management of cattle manure in a cropping system in the savanna zone of central Nigeria is discussed in conjunction with the agronomic benefits and problems of manure use. Nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the manure varied seasonally. On-farm trials showed that maize grain yields were about 1 t ha−1 more and weed growth 90% greater in manured than in non-manured areas. It is important to reduce the competition between crops and weeds if grain crops are to obtain the full benefit of manure in such cropping systems.

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Fast Deoxynivalenol Determination in Cereals Using a White Light Reflectance Spectroscopy Immunosensor

Biosensors ◽

10.3390/bios10110154 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 154

Author(s):

Vasileios Anastasiadis ◽

Ioannis Raptis ◽

Anastasios Economou ◽

Sotirios Kakabakos ◽

Panagiota Petrou

Keyword(s):

White Light ◽

Fusarium Species ◽

Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Label Free ◽

Light Reflectance ◽

Optical Immunosensor ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Maximum Allowable Concentrations

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by certain Fusarium species and found in a high percentage of wheat and maize grains cultured worldwide. Although not so toxic as other mycotoxins, it exhibits both chronic and acute toxicity, and therefore methods for its fast and accurate on-site determination are highly desirable. In the current work, we employ an optical immunosensor based on White Light Reflectance Spectroscopy (WLRS) for the fast and sensitive immunochemical label-free determination of DON in wheat and maize samples. The assay is completed in 12 min and has a quantification limit of 2.5 ng/mL in buffer corresponding to 125 μg/kg in whole grain which is lower than the maximum allowable concentrations set by the regulatory authorities for grains intended for human consumption. Several extraction protocols have been compared, and the highest recovery (>90%) was achieved employing distilled water. In addition, identical calibration curves were received in buffer and wheat/maize extraction matrix providing the ability to analyze the grain samples using calibrators in buffer. Recoveries of DON from spiked wheat and maize grain samples ranged from 92.0(±4.0) to 105(±4.0)%. The analytical performance of the WLRS immunosensor, combined with the short analysis time and instrument portability, supports its potential for on-site determinations.

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Dynamics of incidence and frequency of populations of Fusarium species on stored maize grain

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah0701589k ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 23 (5-6-1) ◽

pp. 589-600 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

V. Krnjaja ◽

J. Levic ◽

Z. Tomic ◽

Z. Nesic ◽

Lj. Stojanovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Species ◽

Winter Period ◽

Fusarium Spp ◽

Toxic Compounds ◽

Livestock Feed ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Main Component ◽

Penicillium Spp ◽

Grown Plant

Production and providing of high quality maize grain are of primary importance for livestock production since maize is the main component of livestock feed. Contamination with fungi not only diminishes the quality of grain, but some fungi species can produce highly toxic compounds known as mycotoxins. Considering that maize is economically the most important grown plant in Serbia, content and intensity of frequency of these pathogen fungi species are investigated in maize stored in the storage facilities. Based on studies of the fungi incidence in stored maize intended for nutrition of livestock, it was established that during the period from February 2005 to March 2006, some fungi species were present successively (Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp.), other with interruptions of one (Nigrospora spp., Aspergillus spp., Acremonium spp., Alternaria spp), three (Mucor spp., Chaetomium spp., Rhizopus spp.) to four months (Cladosporium spp.), and also sporadically during three (Epicoccum spp., Rhizopus spp., Trichothecium spp.), two (Gliocladium spp.) or one month (Papulaspora spp., Phialophora spp.). Period June-October is the most critical for preservation of the quality of stored maize since the number of fungi species present (8?14 of total of 17 identified fungi genera) and their frequency during this period are the highest, especially of toxigenic species of Fusarium (43.5?62.5%) and Penicillium (10.0?33.5%) genera. Positive correlation (r = 0.5979**) between dynamics of incidence and frequency of isolated fungi species indicates that fungi with higher frequency of incidence remain longer on the grain during storage. F. verticillioides and F. subglutinans, of total of 6 identified Fusarium species were present on the grain during entire year and with the highest frequency (24.7% and 5.9%, respectively). During single year (2005) F. verticillioides was present in the highest percentage from February to October (22.0?39.5%), and F. subglutinans from April to October (8.0?12.5%), whereas the both species were isolated the least during winter period December-January (4.0?8.0% and 0.5?1.0%, respectively). F. graminearaum is the third toxigenic Fusarium species which from the mycotoxicological aspect can be important for period June-September when it is mostly present (5.0?11.0%). Incidence of other Fusarium species is sporadic (1.3% F. proliferatum, 1.0% F. sambucinum and 0.5% F. poae).

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