Research Publications (Food Safety)

Alternaria alternata dominated in wheat grains from China with high toxin production capacity and distinct pathogenicity to wheat and apple. Abstract Alternaria is an important toxigenic fungal genus endangering the quality of cereal grains. No data are available in the literature regarding the composition of Alternaria species in wheat from the main wheat‐cultivating regions of China. In this study, a total of 282 strains were isolated from wheat kernels collected in various provinces.

There is a need for comprehensive but user‐friendly weather‐based models for FHB, FDK and mycotoxin prediction in small‐cereal crops with a focus on simplicity and real‐time application to aid in effective disease management. Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating crop diseases worldwide, significantly reducing the yield and quality of small‐cereal crops such as wheat and barley when favourable weather conditions exist during anthesis.

Trichoderma atroviride seems to be a potential biocontrol agent against Fusarium graminearum by altering the expression of genes related to vital processes in fungal life cycle. Abstract The use of Trichoderma spp. offers an ecologically friendly tool for the struggle with mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. Here, the alterations in transcriptome level were investigated in 6‐day‐old Fusarium graminearum cultures treated with Trichoderma atroviride and nontreated with T.

The phylogenetic distinction between F. graminearum and F. meridionale is supported by phenotypic differences such as aggressiveness, mycotoxin production, mycelial growth and reproduction, and tebuconazole sensitivity. Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat and Gibberella ear and stalk rot (GER and GSR) of maize are diseases of worldwide importance.

Push‐pull involves intercropping of cereals with Desmodium as a ‘push’ crop and planting Napier grass/Brachiaria as the ‘pull’ crop at the border. The technology has been reported to effectively control stemborers, striga weed and fall armyworm (FAW), and to improve soil nutrition resulting in increased grain yield.

Fusarium proliferatum is a globally distributed fungal pathogen that affects a range of crop hosts and is one of the main producers of mycotoxins in foods such as fumonisins. Specific PCR primers are commonly used for detection and identification of this pathogen. The aim of this study was to validate previously published F.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential role of gramineous weeds present near paddy fields as alternative hosts for the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) that causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in rice. 142 weed samples were collected from 10 gramineous weed species near paddy fields from August to October 2018 in Jiangsu Province, China. Of the 145 isolates of seven Fusarium species isolated from the weed samples, F.

Fungal mycotoxins are important contaminants of agricultural commodities that pose serious concerns to producers, consumers and exporters. Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic metabolite produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. These fungi and other mould species living in the soil contaminate several crops including maize.