Jan 4, 2011

Glossary

Send

Fusaria

Mould fungi associated particularly with cereal crops

Fungal attack on a maize cob. Plant damage caused by pests provide openings for fungi to attack.

Infection by fusarium fungi is the most serious cereal disease in the world. As a natural soil fungus, fusaria break down plant remains. However, many of the fusarium species are also plant parasites and produce mycotoxins on the cereal plants. The fusarium spores are spread by animals.

In principle, all cereals can be infected with the fungus. How severely they are infected and whether mycotoxins are produced depends on a number of factors. Pest infestation, humidity and temperature during the growing season, tillage and the susceptibility of the variety all play a role, as does the harvest date.

Eating cereals contaminated with mycotoxins leads to serious gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Some of the toxin is removed by cleaning the unprocessed cereal. There are regulations regarding end products (bread, bakery products, etc.) that specify maximum levels for the most common fusarium toxin (deoxynivalenol, DON).