Detection of the fumonisin-producing Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) associated with wild grasses in Iran

In order to determine the fumonisin producing isolates of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC), associated with infected spikes, and ear rot of grass plants, we examined 78 samples collected from Kermanshah province, Iran. Based on morphological characters, twenty two isolates assigned to the FFSC and were identified as F. proliferatum (ten isolates), F. verticillioides (seven isolates), and F. subglutinans (five isolates). This was additionally approved using the specific primers of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, i.e. VER1/VER2, PRO1/PRO2, and SUB1/SUB2, respectively. PCR–based detection of the fumonisin– producing isolates of FFSC was also achieved using the primers FUM1 F/FUM1 R. Out of twenty two isolates, eleven isolates (50%) determined as fumonisin chemotype.