The effect of fungal competition on colonization of maize grain by Fusarium moniliforme, F. proliferatum and F. graminearum and on fumonisin B1 and zearalenone formation

The effect of water activity (0.98, 0.95, 0.93) and temperature (15, 25°C) on fungal growth and toxin production from interactions between isolates of Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum producing fumonisin, and an isolate of F. graminearum producing zearalenone, incubated at the same time on irradiated maize grains were determined in vitro. Populations (CFUs) of F. moniliforme and F. proliferatum were reduced to a greater or lesser extent by the presence of F. graminearum under all conditions tested, while that the presence of F. moniliforme or F. proliferatum had a minor inhibitory effect on fungal populations of F. graminearum. Fumonisin B1 production by F. proliferatum was inhibited under all conditions tested, while fumonisin B1 production by F. moniliforme was inhibited at 15°C and enhanced at 25°C in the presence of F. graminearum. The level of zearalenone was not significantly modified in the presence of F. moniliforme and F. proliferatum under the conditions tested.