Abstract:
Fusarium verticillioides contaminates maize with the fumonisin group of mycotoxins
for which there are strict legislative limits in many countries including the EU. The
objectives of this project were (a) to examine the microbial diversity of maize samples
from different regions and isolate potential biocontrol agents which could antagonize F.
verticillioides and reduce fumonisin B1 (FB1) production, (b) to screen the potential
biocontrol candidates using antagonistic interaction assays and different ratios of
inoculum on maize-based media and on maize kernels to try and control FB1
production, (c) to examine whether the potential control achieved was due to nutritional
partitioning and relative utilization patterns of antagonists and pathogen, and (d) to
examine the effects of best biocontrol agents on FUM1 gene expression and FB1
production on maize cobs of three different ripening stages. ...[cont.]
