Identification of airborne propagules of the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex during maize production

摘要

The airborne dispersal of the anamorphs of the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex was studied under pre- and postharvest maize (corn) production conditions using a 3-stage Andersen sampler. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the size distribution of such species in air samples. Differences were observed between the concentration of large- and small-sized propagules (identified as aggregates and single microconidia, respectively), but the difference was only significant during a high concentration period (October 2007, P = 0.009). No correlation was found between the concentration of fusaria found at different sampling heights (10 and 150 cm above ground level). Fusar-ium isolates were collected and identified based on morphological characters and using species-specific PCR assays. The PCR analysis confirmed morphological identification of F. verticillioides, F. prolif-eratum and F. subglutinans. High concentrations were found during the maize harvest, loading and corn shelling. Our results showed that the monitoring of F. verticillioides should be performed at a single sampling height.