Propomos avaliar a influência da rotação de culturas na infecção de milho transgênico (Bt) e cobertura morta por F. verticillioides e na presença de fumonisinas em amostras provenientes de Palmital e Capão Bonito. O isolamento fúngico da cobertura morta e do milho foi realizado em DG18 e DRBC, respectivamente. Os fungos isolados pertencentes ao gênero Fusarium foram identificados até espécie. Utilizamos, para análise de fumonisinas, Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência. Micobiota da cobertura morta revelou maior frequência de Cladosporium spp. Nas amostras de milho, F. verticillioides foi o fungo mais isolado. Dentro do gênero Fusarium, a espécie F. verticillioides foi a mais frequente. Análise micotoxicológica do milho revelou a presença de fumonisinas em 88,9% das amostras provenientes de Palmital e em 86,1% de Capão Bonito. Dos isolados de F. verticillioides 84,6% foram produtores de FB1 + FB2. A presença de F. verticillioides e fumonisinas nos grãos de milho estabelece um problema econômico e de saúde pública. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of crop rotation systems on the infection of maize grains and mulch by F. verticillioides and on the presence of fumonisins in maize samples collected in Palmital and Capão Bonito. Surface seeding (DG18) and direct seeding (DRBC) were employed for fungal isolations from mulch and maize, respectively. Identified isolates belonging to the genus Fusarium were further classified at the species level. Analysis of the mulch mycobiota revealed a higher frequency of Cladosporium spp., whereas in maize samples, F. verticillioides was the most frequently isolated fungus. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for mycotoxicological analysis of the grain samples. Maize from Palmital and Capão Bonito presented fumonisins in 88.9% and 86.1% of the samples, respectively. From the F. verticillioides isolates, 84.6% were producing FB1 + FB2. The high incidence of F. verticillioides in maize grains represents a serious problem, due to its potential in causing diseases in humans and animals.

Propomos avaliar a influência da rotação de culturas na infecção de milho transgênico (Bt) e cobertura morta por F. verticillioides e na presença de fumonisinas em amostras provenientes de Palmital e Capão Bonito. O isolamento fúngico da cobertura morta e do milho foi realizado em DG18 e DRBC, respectivamente. Os fungos isolados pertencentes ao gênero Fusarium foram identificados até espécie. Utilizamos, para análise de fumonisinas, Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência. Micobiota da cobertura morta revelou maior frequência de Cladosporium spp. Nas amostras de milho, F. verticillioides foi o fungo mais isolado. Dentro do gênero Fusarium, a espécie F. verticillioides foi a mais frequente. Análise micotoxicológica do milho revelou a presença de fumonisinas em 88,9% das amostras provenientes de Palmital e em 86,1% de Capão Bonito. Dos isolados de F. verticillioides 84,6% foram produtores de FB1 + FB2. A presença de F. verticillioides e fumonisinas nos grãos de milho estabelece um problema econômico e de saúde pública. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of crop rotation systems on the infection of maize grains and mulch by F. verticillioides and on the presence of fumonisins in maize samples collected in Palmital and Capão Bonito. Surface seeding (DG18) and direct seeding (DRBC) were employed for fungal isolations from mulch and maize, respectively. Identified isolates belonging to the genus Fusarium were further classified at the species level. Analysis of the mulch mycobiota revealed a higher frequency of Cladosporium spp., whereas in maize samples, F. verticillioides was the most frequently isolated fungus. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for mycotoxicological analysis of the grain samples. Maize from Palmital and Capão Bonito presented fumonisins in 88.9% and 86.1% of the samples, respectively. From the F. verticillioides isolates, 84.6% were producing FB1 + FB2. The high incidence of F. verticillioides in maize grains represents a serious problem, due to its potential in causing diseases in humans and animals.

O objetivo foi avaliar a expressão dos genes FUM como indicativo da contaminação por Fusarium verticillioides e por fumonisinas nos grãos de milho transgênico durante todo o amadurecimento dos grãos. Constatou-se contaminação fúngica em 100% das amostras. As frequências de Fusarium foram de 3,85% a 100%, sendo 97% F. verticillioides. Foi detectada FB1 em 100% das amostras e FB2 em 18,41%. Os níveis de FB1 variaram de 0,02 mg/g a 5,12 mg/g e FB2 de níveis não detectáveis a 1,74 mg/g. Todos os genes FUM foram amplificados em 33,8% das amostras, e as expressões foram em média entre 3,88 e 7,65 (valores obtidos considerando a amostra calibradora). Não houve correlação positiva entre a porcentagem de F. verticillioides, FB1 e FB2 e os fatores abióticos (p>0,05), o mesmo ocorreu entre a expressão relativa dos genes FUM e os percentuais de isolamento de F. verticillioides e os níveis de FB1 e FB2 (p>0,05), e constatou-se correlação positiva entre a probabilidade de amplificação dos genes FUM e a fase de amadurecimento do grão (p<0,05). / This study evaluated the FUM gene expression in corn grains from sowing to harvest as evidence of Fusarium verticillioides contamination and fumonisins production. All samples (100%) were contaminated with fungi. The isolation frequencies of Fusarium genre ranged from 3,85 % to 100 % and 97 % were F. verticillioides. FB1 was detected in 100% of the samples and FB2 in 18,41 %. The levels of FB1 ranged from 0,02 mg/g to 5,12 mg/g, while FB2 ranged from undetectable levels to 1,74 mg/g. All FUM genes were amplified in 33,8 % of the samples, with average ranging from 3.88 to 7,65, when compared to the calibrator sample. Positive correlation among the F. verticillioides isolation percentage, FB1 e FB2 production and the abiotic factors was not detected (p>0,05), positive correlation was also not detected among the FUM gene cluster relative expressions, F. verticillioides isolation percentage and FB1 and FB2 production (p>0,05). However, a positive correlation was detected between the probability of FUM genes expression and the kernel maturity (p<0,05).

Il verificarsi della presenza di micotossine nella granella di mais è di interesse mondiale perché la loro presenza negli alimenti è spesso associata a malattie acute e croniche nel bestiame e nell'uomo. Le micotossine sono metaboliti fungini secondari tossici per i vertebrati. Molti composti naturali e sintetici con proprietà antiossidanti sembrano avere una potenziale efficacia nella protezione contro gli effetti tossici delle micotossine. Questo lavoro ha avuto come obiettivo lo studio degli effetti degli antiossidanti naturali di mais (carotenoidi e tocoli) sulla crescita di funghi (fusarium verticillioides) e sull'accumulo di micotossine in preparati alimentari a base di mais e su alcuni sottoprodotti della lavorazione del mais. / The occurrence of mycotoxins in cereal grains is of great concern worldwide, because their presence in feeds and foods is often associated with chronic or acute mycotoxicoses in livestock and also in human. Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites that are toxic to vertebrates. Several natural and synthetic compounds with antioxidant properties seem to be potentially efficient in protecting against the toxic effects of micotoxins. This work was aimed to study the effects of natural maize antioxidant (carotenoids and tocols) on fungi (fusarium verticillioides) growth and on micotoxins accumulation in maize-based food products and in maize by-products.

O objetivo foi avaliar a expressão dos genes FUM como indicativo da contaminação por Fusarium verticillioides e por fumonisinas nos grãos de milho transgênico durante todo o amadurecimento dos grãos. Constatou-se contaminação fúngica em 100% das amostras. As frequências de Fusarium foram de 3,85% a 100%, sendo 97% F. verticillioides. Foi detectada FB1 em 100% das amostras e FB2 em 18,41%. Os níveis de FB1 variaram de 0,02 mg/g a 5,12 mg/g e FB2 de níveis não detectáveis a 1,74 mg/g. Todos os genes FUM foram amplificados em 33,8% das amostras, e as expressões foram em média entre 3,88 e 7,65 (valores obtidos considerando a amostra calibradora). Não houve correlação positiva entre a porcentagem de F. verticillioides, FB1 e FB2 e os fatores abióticos (p>0,05), o mesmo ocorreu entre a expressão relativa dos genes FUM e os percentuais de isolamento de F. verticillioides e os níveis de FB1 e FB2 (p>0,05), e constatou-se correlação positiva entre a probabilidade de amplificação dos genes FUM e a fase de amadurecimento do grão (p<0,05). / This study evaluated the FUM gene expression in corn grains from sowing to harvest as evidence of Fusarium verticillioides contamination and fumonisins production. All samples (100%) were contaminated with fungi. The isolation frequencies of Fusarium genre ranged from 3,85 % to 100 % and 97 % were F. verticillioides. FB1 was detected in 100% of the samples and FB2 in 18,41 %. The levels of FB1 ranged from 0,02 mg/g to 5,12 mg/g, while FB2 ranged from undetectable levels to 1,74 mg/g. All FUM genes were amplified in 33,8 % of the samples, with average ranging from 3.88 to 7,65, when compared to the calibrator sample. Positive correlation among the F. verticillioides isolation percentage, FB1 e FB2 production and the abiotic factors was not detected (p>0,05), positive correlation was also not detected among the FUM gene cluster relative expressions, F. verticillioides isolation percentage and FB1 and FB2 production (p>0,05). However, a positive correlation was detected between the probability of FUM genes expression and the kernel maturity (p<0,05).

No description available.

In this work we investigated the in vivo and in vitro ecological conditions that can favour the fumonisin production, both free and hidden forms, in the maize-Fusarium verticillioides pathosystem. Samples of different maize hybrids have been collected from dough to the harvest maturity to follow the trend of fungal incidence and both fumonisin forms contamination, but also the changes in chemical composition. Differences in the level of contamination have been found among hybrids during the growing season. Furthermore, the production of fumonisins has been found correlated to the total lipids content, another parameter that changed during the growing season. This finding underlined the existence of a relationship between toxin contamination and fatty acids composition of the hybrids. Recently the existence of a cross talk between plant and pathogen has been demonstrated, based on some oxidized signal molecules (oxylipins) produced from fatty acid precursors. This result was also confirmed by the molecular analysis on the in vitro pathosystem that showed differences in the activation of the genes involved in plant and fungal oxylipins production during the incubation time. Also post-harvest contamination of maize was investigated in this study, with particular attention to the effects of the drying treatment, a common post-harvest practice aimed at decreasing the water availability, and to the storage capacity of a new low cost storage system, silo bag. The drying treatment was showed to affect fumonisins content, in particular an increased fumonisins contamination was detected after heat treatments. This increment seemed to be produced by chemical changes of matrix components, caused by high temperature, that produced the release of hidden fumonisin in free form. Silo bags were shown to be an effective system to store cereals because no significant change occurred in fungi or toxins contamination during a 9-month storage. Therefore, being more flexible and less expensive than traditional store houses, they should be very useful for farmers.

Stink bugs, including native brown stink bug (Euschistus servus) and invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), cause damage to a variety of crops including field corn (Zea mays). Frequency and size of stink bug infestations have increased in corn fields in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., and there are growing concerns that these infestations may contribute to reductions in grain quality including increased mycotoxin concentrations. Prior research on native and invasive stink bugs has focused on understanding their biology, the damage they cause, and elucidating effective and economic management strategies. However, few studies examined the potential for stink bugs to facilitate fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination of corn grain. Thus, the objectives of this research were to: 1) assess the relationship between invasive brown marmorated stink bug (H. halys) feeding injuries and fumonisin contamination of field corn in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., 2) determine if stink bugs are a vector for mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. in corn, and 3) evaluate the efficacy of pesticides for mitigating stink bug feeding injury and associated mycotoxin contamination in field corn. A correlation between H. halys feeding injury and fumonisin concentrations was identified, and the ability of H. halys to increase F. verticillioides infection and fumonisin concentrations in corn was demonstrated in field experiments. Fusarium species including fumonisin-producing F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum were isolated from field-collected stink bugs, and in laboratory experiments, E. servus was able to transmit F. verticillioides to non-infected corn ears after feeding on F. verticillioides-infected corn. In field studies, both fungicide and insecticide reduced stink bug-associated mycotoxin concentrations in corn, but levels of control were inconsistent. Thus, additional tactics that target both the stink bug and Fusarium should be implemented to mitigate risks of mycotoxin contamination in corn. / Doctor of Philosophy / Native and invasive stink bugs can severely damage crops including field corn. Frequency and size of stink bug infestations in Mid-Atlantic U.S. corn fields have increased, and there is growing concern that this may contribute to reductions in grain quality. Insect feeding injury is a risk factor for fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination in corn. Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by certain fungi that have detrimental health effects on animals including livestock and humans. The relationship between stink bug feeding injuries and mycotoxin contamination in corn grain is not well understood, and management strategies to minimize the risk of mycotoxin contamination in corn need to be identified. The main goal of this research was to characterize interactions between stink bugs and mycotoxin-producing fungi and identify tactics for controlling both the insect pest and pathogen. Specific objectives were to: 1) assess the relationship between invasive brown marmorated stink bug (H. halys) feeding injuries and fumonisin contamination of field corn in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., 2) determine if stink bugs are a vector for mycotoxin-producing Fusarium spp. in corn, and 3) evaluate the efficacy of pesticides for mitigating stink bug feeding injury and associated mycotoxin contamination in field corn. Results from this work indicated that stink bugs have the ability to cause feeding injuries which facilitate invasion of mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species, leading to increases in mycotoxin concentrations in corn grain. Studies also demonstrated that stink bugs can vector Fusarium species during feeding and increase Fusarium infection of corn resulting in subsequent mycotoxin contamination. Field studies indicated that pesticide applications targeting both the stink bugs and mycotoxigenic fungi may be needed to minimize risk of mycotoxin contamination in corn. However, under low pest pressure, application of pesticides is unlikely to be profitable.

Fusarium verticillioides è l’agente responsabile della Fusariosi della Spiga del mais, contamina la granella con fumonisine, micotossine responsabili di diverse patologie umane e animali. Per la resistenza alla fusariosi e all’accumulo di fumonisine esiste variabilità tra genotipi diversi ma non sono ancora disponibili ibridi immuni. L’obiettivo di questo lavoro è stato quello di individuare marcatori associati alla resistenza a F. verticillioides. Mediante un bioassay è stato testato un association panel per la resistenza a F. verticillioides. Al fine di identificare i marcatori di resistenza sono stati applicati un approccio GWAS e uno per geni candidati. L’analisi GWAS è stata eseguita con 227K SNPs restituendo 206 marcatori significativi. Da un lavoro di RNASequencing sono stati individuati i geni coinvolti nella risposta a F. verticillioides mentre i geni R sono stati recuperati della letteratura scientifica. Genotipi resistenti (CO433 e CO441) e suscettibili (CO354 e CO389) sono stati scelti per individuare polimorfismi nei geni candidati da associare ai fenotipi rilevati mediante il bioassay. Quattro marcatori sono risultati significativi. Infine, la correlazione tra l’incidenza della fusariosi rilevata in campo e mediante bioassay è stata analizzata in una popolazione di 172 RIL derivanti da CO441 x CO354, tuttavia, non è stata individuata alcuna corrispondenza. / Fusarium verticillioides is the causal agent of Fusarium ear rot (FER) in maize and contaminates grains with fumonisin, a family of mycotoxins involved in several human and animal diseases. Quantitative genetic variation exists for resistance to FER and fumonisin contamination among genotypes, however, resistant maize hybrids are currently not available. The aim of this work was the identification of genetic markers associated to resistance against F. verticillioides. A bioassay was used to screen inbred lines of the maize association population for FER resistance, GWAS and candidate gene approaches were applied to identify markers. GWAS was performed using a 227K SNP matrix and resulting in 206 significant markers. Genes involved in F. verticillioides response in developing maize kernels were retrieved from a previous RNASequencing study while maize R genes were retrieved from scientific literature. Resistant (CO433 and CO441) and susceptible genotypes (CO389 and CO354) were selected to amplify and sequence candidate genes. Polymorphisms detected were used to find association with phenotypes scored using the bioassay. Four significant markers were found. Finally, the correlation between FER phenotypes scored in field experiments and bioassay phenotypes was investigated. A population of 172 RILs (CO441 x CO354), was tested. No correlation was found.

Plants respond to insect and pathogen attack by inducing and accumulating a large set of defense proteins. Colonization of sugarcane stalk by opportunistic fungi, such as Fusarium verticillioides and Colletotrichum falcatum, usually occurs after Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Cambridae) caterpillars attack increasing the damage caused by the borer. Two homologous of BARWIN protein were identified in sugarcane, SUGARWIN1 and SUGARWIN2. Their gene expression is induced in response to wound and Diatraea saccharalis damage. However, the recombinant SUGARWIN protein does not affect insect development; but promotes significant morphological and physiological changes in Fusarium verticillioides and Colletotrichum falcatum, which lead to fungal cell death via apoptosis, indicating that SUGARWINs may work as a first layer of defense against the fungi infection. In this study, we deepen our understanding of the role of SUGARWINs in plant defense and the molecular mechanisms by which these proteins affect fungi by elucidating their molecular targets. Our results show that SUGARWINs play an important role in plant defense against opportunistic pathogens. We demonstrated that SUGARWINs are induced by C. falcatum, and the induction of SUGARWINs can vary among sugarcane varieties. The sugarcane variety exhibiting the highest level of SUGARWIN induction exhibited a considerable reduction in C. falcatum infection. Furthermore, SUGARWIN1 exhibited ribonuclease and chitinase activity, whereas SUGARWIN2 exhibited only chitinase activity. This variable enzymatic specificity seems to be the result of divergent amino acid composition within the substrate-binding site. Additionally, plants attacked by insects and pathogens display profound physiological, morphological and chemical changes or adaptations, which may result in organism attraction or avoidance. In this study, we also aimed to understand the insect-fungi association in sugarcane and the role of fungal volatile compounds in this association. Our results have shown that D. saccharalis positively influences C. falcatum infection on sugarcane, inducing a fast growing when compared to C. falcatum treatment without D. saccharalis attack. In addition, both fungi, C. falcatum and F. verticillioides, have been shown a double effect on D. saccharalis caterpillar, they promoted a strong attraction for insects due volatile organic compound emission and positively influenced D. saccharalis feeding and weight gain in diets supplemented with fungi. Fungal volatile organic compounds from C. falcatum and F. verticillioides were identified and quantified; acoradiene and acorenol were specifically induced by the fungi. These data suggest a synergistic interaction, mediated by organic volatile compounds, between D. saccharalis and the fungi C. falcatum and F. verticillioides in sugarcane. / As plantas respondem ao ataque de insetos e patógenos induzindo e acumulando um grande conjunto de proteínas de defesa. A colonização do caule de cana por fungos oportunistas, como Fusarium verticillioides e Colletotrichum falcatum, geralmente ocorre após o ataque de lagartas de Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Cambridae), resultando no aumento do dano causado pelo inseto. Dois homólogos da proteína BARWIN foram identificados em cana-de-açúcar, SUGARWIN1 e SUGARWIN2. A expressão desses genes é induzida em resposta ao ferimento mecânico e ao ataque de Diatraea saccharalis, entretanto, a proteína não afeta o desenvolvimento do inseto, mas promove alterações morfológicas e fisiológicas significativas em Fusarium verticillioides e Colletotrichum falcatum, causando a morte destes fungos por apoptose. Esses dados indicam que as SUGARWINs podem funcionar como uma defesa inicial contra a infecção fúngica. Neste estudo, aprofundamos nosso entendimento do papel das SUGARWINs na defesa de plantas e os mecanismos moleculares pelos quais essas proteínas afetam os fungos, elucidando seus alvos moleculares. Nossos resultados mostraram que as SUGARWINs desempenham um papel importante na defesa da planta contra patógenos oportunistas. Foi demonstrado que essas proteínas também são induzidas por C. falcatum em cana-de-açúcar, e sua indução pode variar entre as variedades de cana-de-açúcar. A variedade de cana-de-açúcar que apresentou o maior nível de indução de SUGARWINs apresentou uma redução considerável na infecção por C. falcatum. Além disso, SUGARWIN1 exibiu atividade de ribonuclease e quitinase, enquanto que SUGARWIN2 exibiu apenas atividade de quitinase. Esta especificidade enzimática parece ser o resultado da composição divergente de aminoácidos no sítio de ligação do substrato. Além disso, as plantas atacadas por insetos e patógenos exibem profundas alterações fisiológicas, morfológicas e químicas ou adaptações, que podem resultar em atração ou repelência do organismo, dessa forma, estudamos também a associação inseto-fungos na cana-de-açúcar, e o papel dos compostos voláteis fúngicos nessa associação. Nossos resultados mostraram que D. saccharalis influencia positivamente a infecção por C. falcatum em cana-de-açúcar, induzindo crescimento rápido do fungo quando comparado ao tratamento com C. falcatum sem ataque de D. saccharalis. Além disso, ambos os fungos, C. falcatum e F. verticillioides, mostraram um efeito duplo sobre lagartas de D. saccharalis, promovendo uma forte atração desses insetos devido à emissão de compostos orgânicos voláteis e influenciando positivamente a alimentação de D. saccharalis e ganho de peso em dietas suplementadas com fungos. Os compostos orgânicos voláteis fúngicos de C. falcatum e F. verticillioides foram identificados e quantificados; acoradieno e acorenol foram especificamente induzidos pelos fungos. Estes dados sugerem uma interação sinergistica, mediada por compostos orgânicos voláteis, entre D. saccharalis e os fungos C. falcatum e F. verticillioides em cana-de-açúcar.