Fusarium spp. from sugarcane. Mycotoxin profile and species identification of Fusarium retrieved from sugarcane in the Iranian province of Khuzestan.

Mycotoxin profile and species identification of Fusarium retrieved from sugarcane in the Iranian province of Khuzestan. One hundred-four Fusarium strains isolated from sugarcane in Khuzestan province, in southern Iran, were investigated by using a polyphasic approach based on morphological, molecular and chemical analyses. Almost all Fusarium strains (94.2%)belonged to Fusarium fujikuroi species complex and identified as F. proliferatum (67 strains), F. sacchari (14 strains), F. thapsinum (2 strains), F. verticillioides (1 strain), Fusarium spp (14 strains) genetically very close to F. andiyazi reference strain. One F. armeniacum, 2 F. solani and 3 strains grouping in Fusarium incarnatum equiseti species complex were also detected. The capability to produce, in vitro, fumonisins, beauvericin, and enniatins was also evaluated. Fusarium proliferatum, the most predominant species detected, represent the highest toxicological risk, since more than 80% of the tested strains were able to produce high amount of fumonisins, up to 6071.8, 1100.69, 2126.9 μg g-1 of FUMB1, FUMB2 and FUMB£, respectively. AllF.sacchariand Fusarium spp strains tested were no fumonisins producers and showed a very low capability to produce both enniatins and beauvericin.